PAWLOWSKI
For those who were worried about what would happen to Auburn’s baseball team, do not fear.
Friday, Jay Jacobs, Auburn athletics director, announced the athletic department had hired John Pawlowski as the new head baseball coach.
“It is certainly a wonderful opportunity, and I am just excited to be on board at Auburn University,” Pawlowski said. “I knew I was looking for a challenge, and this certainly is a challenge and one that I am looking forward to.”
Pawlowski is coming to Auburn from Charleston, S.C., where he coached the previous nine years at the College of Charleston.
Prior to coaching at C of C, Pawlowski held positions as assistant coach at Arizona State University and alma mater, Clemson University.
“I am just so excited to get in trench there and start to learn more about Auburn and more about what it is and what it’s about,” Pawlowski said. “I am just glad that I can be a small part of it.”
Pawlowski also played in the minor and major leagues with the White Sox and several other organizations.
“Obviously, the greatest thrill for me as a player was the opportunity to play in the big leagues, and something that as a kid when you put on a hat and a glove and you have a bat and a ball, you always dream about playing in the major leagues,” Pawlowski said. “Although it was a short period of time, it was one that certainly I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Although he had only spent a little bit of time on Auburn University’s campus, the community really impressed him.
“Saturday morning I got up, and I went for a run around campus. I was amazed because I was running and somebody said ‘hey coach!’ and then somebody else stopped and said ‘hey coach!’ and it was kind of neat because it shows that people have a passion and that people care,” Pawlowski said.
Pawlowski said he is looking forward to his experiences at Auburn.
“Auburn is a great college town,” Pawlowski said. “It’s a beautiful campus and one that I am certainly looking forward to getting to know more.”
June 25, 2008 - 11:28pm
Baseball Coach
Auburn made a great selection in Pawlowski. As I have observed over the past five years, John is an excellent manager of pitchers and hitters. On top of that, he is aware and appreciative of fan support, which he sometimes lacked in Charleston. I will always admire that he paid attention to the children who attended games, sometimes with a smile and kind word and sometimes even with a ball. We sure will miss him here in Charleston!