Scott Ballantyne announces retirement from Laurier baseball

After 16 years as head coach of Laurier Golden Hawks baseball, Scott Ballantyne has announced that he is retiring from the program. Photo: Laurier Athletics

November 10, 2022

Official Laurier Athletics News Release

WATERLOO, Ont. - After 16 years as head coach of Laurier Golden Hawks baseball, Scott Ballantyne has announced that he is retiring from the program.

Since 2007, Ballantyne led the Golden Hawks to an overall record of 285-171 and a 65.1% winning percentage over 456 games. The tally includes 30 postseason wins, which led to three conference championships: the first in 2013 and back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.

During his tenure, the Golden Hawks recorded 10 or more wins nine times, including a string of seven straight seasons between 2013 and 2019. A 15-3 regular season in 2016 was their best record under his leadership.

Ballantyne was named the OUA baseball coach of the year four times; in his first season and for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019.

In his final season as bench boss, the team finished the regular season 8-8 and 3-0 in the postseason round-robin before losing in the OUA Regional Qualifier to Waterloo.

Ryan Lannan, associate director of Interuniversity Sport Programs, conveyed how Wilfrid Laurier University Athletics & Recreation is grateful "for the foundation of excellence Scott established over 16 years as head coach to ensure the highest quality student-athlete experience."

"From day one, he set the ceiling high for the expectations of this program. He worked tirelessly to ensure our program was the pinnacle in OUA. Not only did he elevate the Golden Hawks program, but he also was a leader in the OUA and baseball across the country.

"He consistently worked to enhance baseball from the grassroots level, ensuring student-athletes were active in the community.

"I have known Scott for over 20 years, and he always lives and breathes purple and gold. I am excited to stay connected with Scott for years to come and genuinely happy that he will now have more time to spend with his incredible family.

"His wife Amy and his kids were significant supporters of the Golden Hawks and our program would not be where it is today without their support."

After deciding to retire from the program, Ballantyne commented how he was "incredibly honoured" to have been the head baseball coach at Laurier for the almost two decades.

"The program has meant a lot to my family and me. It has been rewarding to see it grow and develop over the years," Ballantyne said. "We have been fortunate to have had tremendous people come through, as student-athletes and coaches. I am forever grateful to all of them for allowing the program to grow and achieve the success we've seen on the field and in the classroom.

"I would like to thank my wife Amy and our kids for all their support as the program would not be the same without their involvement.

"Winning championships was a lot of fun, but the most rewarding thing about coaching this program is seeing our student-athletes grow and mature from their first year to when they graduate. Their growth and development have always been a pillar of our program.

"I wish the program all the best moving forward. It's great to be a Laurier Golden Hawk."