Matt LaBranche

Western New England University

One of the most successful Division III coaches in the nation, Matt LaBranche wrapped up his 13th season at Western New England University. The Windham, NH native has an outstanding 395-174 record for an impressive 0.694 winning percentage after the Golden Bears went 38-13 overall (0.745) and 15-1 en route to the Commonwealth Coast Conference regular-season and tournament championships last spring. Since taking over the reins in 2000, LaBranche’s teams have participated in 13 consecutive postseason tournaments, including nine NCAA Division III Championships overall and appearances in the last seven years. The 2012 Golden Bears narrowly missed a repeat trip to the NCAA Finals as they were defeated in the regional championship game. LaBranche was the CCC, New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA), and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Coach-of-the-Year in 2011, winning the CCC and ECAC awards again the following year. He also was the GNAC Coach-of-the-Year in 2001 and 2004. Coach LeBranche will be speaking about “Catching – The Backbone to a Defense.”