Will Sanborn

"Chalk Talk" is a feature that will focus on our outstanding coaches on staff at St. Joe's.
The Royal Blue faithful will learn more about our coaches as they are asked various questions about their experiences as a coach as well as their life away from athletics.

Will Sanborn has built the Saint Joseph's baseball program into a consistent winner. In recent years, Sanborn has led the Monks into the upper echelon of one of the country's toughest regions, the Northeast.

Sanborn's accomplishments at Saint Joseph's have been numerous. During his 15 years as Head Coach, the Monks have won 20+ games eleven times. Recent history has been particularly impressive as the Monks have posted three straight 30 win seasons and back-to-back trips to the New England Regionals.

Although his teams have enjoyed a high level of success recently, success is certainly not new to Sanborn; he has more wins than any baseball coach in school history. He enters the 2008 season with a 15-year record of 377-229-6. (.616)

Sanborn's drive to win first became evident during his playing career at Saint Joseph's from 1984-86 when he was a member of some of the programs' finest teams. During that time, the Monks averaged just over 20 wins per season, including 25-plus wins in 1985 and 1986.

Prior to taking over as head coach at Saint Joseph's, Sanborn coached at many levels. He has held coaching positions with Bonny Eagle High School, Bar Mills American Legion and the Portland Twilight League. He is also Director of the Saint Joseph's Baseball Camp, and currently serves as the Associate Director of Athletics at Saint Joseph's College.

Will resides in Standish with his wife, Lynn Brown, and their two children, Morgan and Lincoln.

Background information about your playing days:

I played high school baseball at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, Maine. I played the outfield and pitched. My senior year Deering defeated us for the Telegram League Title. We came back and beat them to win the Western Maine Final - lost in the state championship game to Brunswick.

At St. Joe's I was part of some of Jim Graffam's early teams 1983-1986. My senior year we went 34-10 and won our first NAIA District 5 (New England) Championship. In the NAIA Northeast Regional we won the first game vs. Point Park University - I got the game winning hit in extra innings. We lost the next two games of the regional. Interestingly enough - my daughter now attends Point Park University. I was a very average player who had to work hard for everything.

When did you realize that you wanted to be a coach?

Probably in high school when I figured out I wasn't going to play in the NBA or MLB! I had grown up very focused on athletics - particularly basketball and baseball. My Dad was a great athlete. I grew up on stories about his legendary high school coach at Standish High - Rupe Johnson. Rupe was and still is a legend in our town. He was well respected and ahead of his time. I think that had a great influence on me.

Who was your biggest influence as a coach?

Several people. Like most players I think my Dad was my first coach. He was always there to play catch, throw batting practice, rebound basketballs or play one on one. My Dad owned his own business and was very busy - routinely working 12 hour days. That was how my brother and I spent time with our Dad - practicing for baseball or basketball - I think that had a great influence.

Even though I never played for Rupe Johnson and he died when I was a kid I think he had a great influence on me. My high school baseball coach Brian Cates was great a breaking down skills. Coach Graffam was a great motivator and competitor. I think I have taken a little bit from all of them.

What is your most memorable moment as a player?

As a player I think it was that game winning hit against Point Park in the NAIA Northeast Regional in 1986.

As a coach?

As a coach there have been so many. I think our first win in the NCAA New England Regional vs. Bowdoin in 2006 was a great win - a great team come-back.

What is your funniest or most embarrassing moment as a coach?

There have been so many funny and embarrassing moments. None really stand out above the others - I think the best moments are those "dugout moments" that happen in baseball that the fans don't see. Our teams always have great personality and the players have fun playing the game - it creates so many great moments.

Favorites:

Movie: The Bridge on the River Kwai

Food: Thanksgiving Dinner

Pro sports team: Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics

Pro athlete and why? Charlie Furbush who is currently in the Detroit Tigers Organization - because he played for us at SJC and has a great chance to play in the big leagues.

Most famous person you've met:

Cal Ripken

If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Abe Lincoln - because he saved the union.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know:

I began dating my wife when I was in the 8th Grade. She was a sophomore in High School!

Hobbies away from your sport:

Bird Dog Training and Hunting

What you look for in a player when recruiting:

Baseball Talent - Great Attitude - Work Ethic - Good Students

What do you do in the off-season?

There is no "off season" when you are a college coach - it just goes to different phases. My passion other than baseball is bird dog training and bird hunting. I spend a great deal of time in the summer training my dogs - and in October I am in the woods with them almost every day. I don't play golf!

What does it mean for you and your team to be in the GNAC?

I think the GNAC will be good for us. Hopefully it will help us push our program to the next level.


What expectations do you have of your team every year?

I expect them to work hard and keep a positive attitude. I want them to play with passion and intelligence. I expect them to be young men of character. I expect our players to exemplify excellence on and off the field and keep their academics as a priority. We want to be the most competitive team on the field every day. If we do all of these things - the wins and losses will take care of themselves.

Anything else you feel the web site readers should know about you/your program?

The thing I am most proud of in my coaching career is that I think I have been able to put a great deal of energy into our baseball program - but keep my family as the top priority. My family is the thing I am most proud of. My daughter Morgan and son Lincoln are great kids. My wife Lynn (our Dean of Students here at SJC) is my best friend and the best person I know.