Pete Dawes joined the Yellowjacket staff as a pitching coach late in the spring of 2009 after a lengthy and highly successful tenure in the same role at Monroe Community College.
Dawes played two seasons at MCC, earning All-America honors during his sophomore year in 1978. That year, he helped lead the Tribunes to a 25-4 record, an eighth-place finish in the nation, and a trip to the World Series.
After MCC, Dawes transferred to Florida International University in Miami, Fla. He was named to the NCAA Division II South District team his senior year as FIU finished sixth in the country and advanced to the D-II World Series.
Dawes brought his expertise back to MCC as an assistant coach and helped the Tribunes maintain their reputation as one of the top programs in the nation. His teaching helped numerous players compete in the professional ranks.
Two MCC pitchers who worked with Dawes reached the Major Leagues. Tim Redding pitched for the New York Mets in 2009 while Greg Keagle spent parts of three seasons with the Detroit Tigers.
Others playing pro ball in the minors were catcher David Brust (Atlanta Braves organization), catcher Bob Hurlbutt (Houston Astros), pitcher Joe Davis (Independent), pitcher Adam Curynski (Independent), and pitcher Patrick Urckfitz (Houston Astros).
Dawes was inducted into the MCC Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. That same year, he was invited to work with the rookie catchers at the Detroit Tigers Class A affiliate Niagara Falls Rapids Preseason Training Session in Niagara Falls. In 1990, he was an assistant coach with the Western Region Scholastic Team for the Empire State Games.
He is currently employed at Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation as an Energy Design Electric Engineer. He resides in Greece with his wife, Susan, and has four daughters.
