Canuck Lavallee leaves LSU-Shrevport to manage in Jays' system
Former North Delta Blue Jay Brent Lavallee (North Delta, B.C.) is leaving his position as head coach at LSU Shreveport to manage in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Could he be heading home to the class-A Canadians in Vancouver. Photo: LSU Shreveport Athletics
December 12, 2019
Official LSU Athletics Press Release
After three seasons as the Head Baseball Coach at LSUS, Brent Lavallee (North Delta, B.C..) is leaving the program to take over a managerial job in the Toronto Blue Jays Organization.
Lavallee spent nine seasons in total on the LSUS coaching staff and has now been called to accept a bigger role because of his winning ways and innovative training techniques while at LSUS. Lavallee's thoughts on his time at LSUS and the next step in his journey are represented in the picture below.
Athletic Director Lucas Morgan understands the opportunity presented to Lavallee is too good to pass up: "This is obviously a great loss for us, but I am so excited for Brent and his family. Opportunities like this don't come around often and his hard work is paying off. He has spent many years as a student-athlete and coach at LSUS and has meant a lot to the growth and development of this program. We thank him for his dedication and wish him the best of luck in the future."
Coach Lavallee leaves the program with a 126-57 career record which includes leading the Pilots to three consecutive NAIA Regional appearances, two RRAC Conference Tournament Championships in 2017 and 2019 and back-to-back RRAC Season Championships in 2018 and 2019. Coach Lavallee was also named the RRAC Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2019.
During Lavallee's time at LSUS, he coached 20 - 1st Team All-Conference players, 7 - 2nd Team All-Conference players, 3 All-Americans, 1 RRAC Pitcher of the Year, 1 RRAC Player of Year, 1 Freshman of the Year, 2 Newcomers of the Year and 5 RRAC Gold Glove selections.
Lavallee was just as good on the field for the Pilots as he has been standing in the coaches box. He came to LSUS as a freshman and played in a total of 200 games throughout his four seasons. His Senior year, in 2009 he finished second on the team in home runs (18) and RBIs (78). His spectacular 2009 season earned him numerous honors: 1st Team GCAC for the second time in his LSUS career, 2nd Team All-Louisiana, NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, 1st Team All-Canada, Delta Sports Amateur Athlete of the Year, and runner up for the Canadian College Baseball Player of the Year.
During Lavallee's playing career he was a part of the school's first regular season championship in 2005. In all, he played on three GCAC Tournament championship teams as well as playing in four NAIA Regional Tournaments, reaching the finals twice. He stands in 3rd place in single-season HR's (18) and 3rd place in single-season RBI (78). He ranks 8th on the all-time LSUS list in games played (200), 5th in home runs (28), and 4th in hit-by-pitch (41).
Coach Lavallee's impact on LSUS baseball will forever be a part of this school's history. He will be greatly missed at the helm of the LSUS Pilots but once a Pilot, always a Pilot.
******
Lavallee shared his feelings about leaving LSUS for this new opportunity with the Blue Jays on Monday.