Sam Dempster, head coach of the Durham Lords men’s baseball team, congratulates a team member for hitting a grand slam. In addition to his coaching duties at the college, Dempster was recently appointed head coach and performance director of Great Britain Baseball.

The British Baseball Federation has appointed Sam Dempster, head coach of Durham College’s men’s varsity baseball team, the new head coach and performance director of Great Britain Baseball for a three-year term.

The selection comes after Dempster’s work as assistant coach of the British national team at the 2010 European Championship this past July. Under the tutelage of Dempster and former Head Coach Pat Doyle, the British squad finished eighth.

Dempster is now leading a British team that is set to compete at the 2011 European Qualifier and hopes to return to the European Championship in 2012.

“There is no better coach to lead this team into the new decade,” said Jason Greenberg, general manager and director of Operations for the British national program. “Sam is dedicated, loyal, intelligent, honest and unbelievably hard-working. Most importantly, he knows baseball and he knows how to win. He already has the respect of our players and the domestic baseball community and I have no doubt he will strengthen the foundation of our program while pushing our senior team to new heights.”

Dempster brings an excellent work ethic and strong leadership skills to his new position. During his 19-year tenure as the head coach of the Durham Lords (Lords) varsity team, he has compiled an impressive win-loss record of 280-180. Under his guidance, the Lords have remained a perennial contender in the Canadian Intercollegiate Baseball Association.

Dempster has also received many accolades from the international baseball community. In 2007 he was awarded the Julio Puente Envoy International Coach Award by Major League Baseball, which is given to unselfish individuals dedicated to the growth of the sport.

In addition to his roles with Durham College and the British Baseball Federation, Dempster also tours throughout Africa and Europe as an envoy for Major League Baseball, working to educate people about the sport. Dempster is also a member of the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame, which he was inducted into in 2010.

For more information about the Lords men’s varsity baseball team, please visit www.durhamlords.com.