Central/West turns to Malik
- Updated: December 23, 2024
Anthony Malik (left)
Back when he was in high school Anthony Malik thought he had a future in coaching. Turns out he was right.
Malik already had a lengthy resume coaching youth baseball in Manchester, and that resume got a bit longer last month when he was hired as head coach of the Manchester Central/West Knights varsity baseball program.
Malik replaces Ernie Yerrington, who resigned earlier this year.
“I knew from an early age that I wanted to coach,” Mailk said. “My grandfather (Frank Malik) was a long-time coach in the greater-Manchester area in various sports at various levels. He was an important part of my life and I kind of shadowed him a lot. So the coaching bug had already set into me.
“Got into coaching as early as I could. Figured the quicker I started coaching the quicker I would rise to where I wanted to rise to.”
Malik is a Manchester native who graduated from Manchester Central in 2007. He played baseball at Central for Andy Laroche.
Malik also played baseball at the New Hampton School, and then attended Saint Anselm College. He works for Prospects Athletics, a travel baseball organization based in Manchester, and spent the last four years as an assistant coach on the Central staff, which became the Central/West staff when the schools formed a co-op program in 2022.
“I did not apply for (the job) right away,” Malik explained. “The interview process may have been close to starting when I applied. Really had to think it through. Wasn’t sure if I wanted to invest the time needed with the job. I wanted to make sure if I did this I was all-in to provide the kind of season the players deserve.
“Then I determined that this was something that I wanted to pursue. One of the factors that got me thinking in that direction was being a Manchester guy, being a Central graduate, knowing what the Central baseball experience did for me. I would hate to see the program not have that same impact on them.The last couple years I’ve used the phrase, ‘All wins aren’t necessarily on the scoreboard.’ Kids working to keep their grades up. Kids going to school so they’ll be eligible. We had a lot of victories off the field – and we still have a lot of work to do in that department, no doubt.
“Even if you don’t win a state title you want to make sure a kid is on a much more positive track for the rest of his life. The way I grew up, knowing the positive mentors I had, paying that forward is really big to me.”
Malik began coaching Babe Ruth Baseball in Manchester while he was in high school. He also volunteered with the Manchester East Little League before he began coaching with Prospects Athletics.
He said he interviewed for the Central/West job in early November and was offered the job about a week later.
“Everything has been stamped and approved, so I’m looking forward to getting started,” he said.
“One of my hopes and goals is to try and revive baseball on the West Side of Manchester, get the interest sparked back in baseball. The Knights baseball program is just as much West’s as it is Central’s.
“I’m just trying to give back to the school I love and the program I love.”
*******
Those who would like to help New Hampshire Hardball promote baseball in the Granite State can do so by purchasing a New Hampshire Hardball membership or by making a donation below. Sponsorship inquiries can be sent to nhhardball@gmail.com. Your support is greatly appreciated.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login