Jack McDowell joins Queens University of Charlotte’s Department of Athletics as the new head baseball coach. McDowell will be the first to lead the new sport added to the department.
McDowell is a former Major League Baseball player who competed as a pitcher. Black Jack, as they called him, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox from Stanford University in 1987. After playing seven seasons with the White Sox, he spent a season with the Yankees and two season with the Indians before wrapping his career in 1999 following two seasons with the Angels. Over 12 seasons as a professional McDowell played in 277 games, making the start in 275. He compiled a winning record of 127-87, and totaled 1,311 strikeouts at the mound. Additionally, McDowell was a three-time all-star and won the American League Cy Young Award in 1993.
After retiring from playing, McDowell began giving private instruction in the sport. From 2000-2009 he coached youth baseball ranging from t-ball to high school. He was the head baseball coach at San Dieguito Academy from 2006-2013, helping them post 27 wins in 2013 and finish as CIF runners-up. Since then he has managed a AAA team, the Ogden Raptors Advanced Rookie Team in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers AZL Rookie Team. Both rookie teams were second half champions with McDowell at the helm.
McDowell played collegiately at Stanford University. While a Cardinal, he earned co-Freshman of the Year honors in 1985. In 1986 he was named to the all-American second team, and in 1987 after leading Stanford to the College World Series Championship he earned third team all-American honors. Following the Cardinals’ win McDowell was drafted by the White Sox.
"I'm extremely excited and honored that Queens University has put their trust in me to begin and grow their baseball program into a NCAA DII powerhouse, said McDowell. “It's been a dream of mine to be able to build a program from the ground up and I plan on fulfilling that goal with all of the passion I played the game with and have committed to coaching over the past 15 years."
McDowell received his bachelor’s degree from Stanford in communications in 1988.