Bill Thurston
Head Coach 1966-Present
Career Record 611-345-9

Bill Thurston has been the head coach of the Amherst College Baseball Program since 1966 and his teams have won 611 games - nearly 70% of all contests played. Thurston is widely respected as a teacher of baseball skills and techniques as well as an outstanding game coach and manager.

As the number one pitcher and team leading hitter as an outfielder for the University of Michigan, Thurston signed a professional contract with the Detroit Tiger organization after his junior year and played pro baseball for three seasons. He began his coaching career in Dearborn, Michigan before coming to Amherst in the fall of 1965. At Amherst, Coach Thurston is a full-time, tenured professor of physical education.

Coach Thurston has been named New England College Coach of the Year on four occasions: in 1974, 1980, 1984, and 1997. In 1982, he was the recipient of the prestigious Jack Butterfield Award for coaching excellence and contributions to the game. IN July 1996, he was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, and in January 1997, he was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Also in 1997, Coach Thurston received the Dr. James R. Andrews Award for his research and contributions in Sports Medicine.

Also During his 34 year tenure at Amherst College, Coach Thurston has been actively involved in coaching international baseball in Australia, Canada, China, Holland, Italy, Panama, and Romania. In 1984 and 1985, he was the head coach of the Australian National Team which competed in a number of international tournaments in the United States, Canada, and Europe as well as in Australia. In 1986, Thurston served as the pitching coach of the United States National Team which competed in the World Cup Games in Holland.

Coach Thurston has served as the NCAA Baseball Rules Editor for the past 14 years, and has worked as the pitching consultant for the past 9 years for the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, AL. He has also served on various committees for the American Baseball Coaches Association, the International Baseball Association and the United States Baseball Federation along with numerous NCAA committees. Thurston is widely known and respected as a baseball clinician, lecturer, and writer. He has conducted baseball clinics in over 25 states and 5 provinces of Canada. He has authored a book "An Instructional Manual for Pitchers and Pitching Coaches" and has published numerous articles and studies on baseball skills, rules, and coaching techniques. Coach Thurston has produced four pitching videos stressing proper pitching mechanics, video analysis of the pitching motion, proper care of the pitching arm, and the prevention of pitching arm injuries.

Coach Thurston and his wife Hanna reside in Sunderland, MA.

Joe Sarno
Assistant Coach 1997-Present

Joe Sarno is entering his fourth season as assistant coach at Amherst College. On the field he serves as the infield coach in addition to working with Jeff hitters. Off the field, he works in the office with Coach Thurston.

Coach Sarno is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in kinesiology. He was a four year letterwinner, co-captain in his junior and senior seasons, and MVP in his senior year. Sarno led the 1995 UNH squad to most wins and best record in its 97 year history.

In 1995, Sarno earned All-Region, All New England, and All North Atlantic first team honors and NAC All Academic in 1994 and 1995. At UNH Sarno holds records for most hits in a season and stolen bases for a game, season, and career. Topping off his career he was awarded the College Baseball Umpires Association of New England Sportsmanship Award in 1995. In 1995, Sarno played professionally for the independently affliated Nashua Hawks.

Coach Sarno is a native of Stoneham, MA where he resides in the off-season.

Michael Grant '99
Assistant Coach 2000

Michael Grant is in his first year with the Lord Jeffs.  He holds the prestigious position of the Hitchcock Fellow within the Athletic Department for the year 1999-2000.  A four year starter at second base, Mike was a captain of last year's team that was eliminated in the championship game of the NCAA New England Region.  Mike was also a captain and letterwinner in Soccer while at Amherst.  His 2000 Hitchcock duties also included assistant coaching in both soccer and basketball.

Coach Grant is a native of Mendon, Ma