Reading, Pa. (April 10, 2012) – Wade Miller, the former ace for the Houston Astros, has returned to Alvernia University to join the baseball coaching staff as an assistant.

“Having professional experience is a huge factor in our pitchers' development,” said head coach Yogi Lutz. “Wade brings a lot of knowledge to our staff and players with the many different managers and pitching coaches he has played for.”

Miller played one season with the Crusaders in 1995 before being drafted in the 20th round by the Astros.  He rejoined the Crusaders earlier this season after an accomplished Major League career with the the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs. 

Miller still holds the record for strikeouts in a game at Alvernia with 16.  He held it alone until last season when the mark was tied by senior Andrew Kirk (Media, Pa./Penncrest) in a complete-game, playoff win over Widener.  Miller went 7-1 as a Crusader in '95 and struck out 77 batters in 55 and 2/3 innings.  His ERA was 2.89 and he helped the Crusaders to their first ever NCAA Regional.

In the Major Leagues, Miller turned in 894 and 1/3 innings with a career record of 62-46 in 147 starts.  He finished his career with 749 strikeouts and a 4.10 ERA.  His best season was in 2001 when he was a 16-game winner for the Astros in 32 starts throwing 212 innings and striking out 183 batters with a 3.40 ERA.  Miller followed up his 2001 season with 15 wins in 2002 and 14 wins in 2003.

Miller joins assistant coach John O'Mara in overseeing the Alvernia pitching staff.  When asked about what brought him back to Alvernia, Miller replied, “A familiarity with the program.  Knowing John O'Mara was here coaching.  He caught me when I played here, so knowing how he thinks from a baseball standpoint and being able to work with him was a good opportunity.”

The pitching staff this season has turned in a combined ERA of 3.03--26th in Division III--including eight pitchers with an ERA of 3.50 or better.  Miller's professional experience has definitely influenced the young Crusaders staff, “It's about the fundamentals at every level," said Miller.  "Being able to work with them on the fundamentals and getting them to realize that's what leads to success at every level."

To date the Crusaders have turned in a 19-7-1 record (8-1 Commonwealth) and are receiving votes in both the American Baseball Coaches Association and D3baseball.com national polls.  They have three more 3-game series left in conference play (Lebanon Valley, Widener, and Elizabethtown) before the Commonwealth playoffs at Owls Field in West Lawn beginning May 3.