PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Head coach Joe Spano of the Mercyhurst University baseball team has been named this year's recipient of the Chuck Tanner College Coach of the Year Award as announced by the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh. Spano will be presented with the eighth annual award at the Chuck Tanner Awards Banquet on November 15 in downtown Pittsburgh.

Each year, the Pittsburgh Rotary Club holds its Chuck Tanner Awards Banquet in Pittsburgh. The highlight of the event is the presentation of the Chuck Tanner MLB Manager of the Year Award as selected by a distinguished group of baseball professionals from around the country. Additionally, each year, the top college coach and program are recognized for their successes. Last year's winner was Marc Marizzaldi of Seton Hill University.

Spano, who will be entering his 16th season as the manager of the Laker baseball program in the spring of 2015, guided Mercyhurst to its 10th consecutive winning season a year ago. Mercyhurst finished with a 30-15 record, marking the fourth consecutive season that the Lakers have won at least 30 games. Mercyhurst has won 30 games in five of the last six, and seven of the last nine seasons under the direction of Spano.

The Lakers advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament for the fourth time in the last six seasons a year ago. Since joining the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, Mercyhurst has claimed at least a share of the Western Division title four times and has made the conference's postseason tournament in each of the first six seasons since becoming a league member.

This past June, former Laker righthander Dan Altavilla became the highest Major League Baseball draft pick in Mercyhurst history when he was taken in the fifth round (141st overall) by the Seattle Mariners. He was the first Division II player taken in the 2014 MLB draft and became the highest MLB draft pick from a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference school in 19 years - Edinboro's Mark Corey was selected in the fourth round (111th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 1995.

Current Baltimore Oriole outfielder David Lough was formerly Mercyhurst's highest draft pick when he was selected in the 11th round (336th overall) in the 2007 draft by the Kansas City Royals.

Altavilla became Mercyhurst's 15th draft pick since the program's inception with eight of those coming in Spano's 15 seasons as manager.

Spano is the program's all-time winningest coach and will begin the 2015 season with an overall record of 456-316-3.

Baltimore's Buck Showalter has been selected MLB Manager of the Year. Former Pirates great Dick Groat will also be presented with the 2014 Life Time Achievement Award at the event.  
 
Erie native and nationally recognized Celebrity Sports Artist, Kevin-John, is returning to create a special limited edition Dick Groat memorabilia print for everyone in attendance and will be present to personally sign his creation. Kevin-John's artwork has been showcased on ESPN, Spike TV, and NBC, at Super Bowl XXXIX, XL, XLI and the PGA Tour.
 
To purchase tickets to the banquet or to find out about other ways to support the event, go to www.chucktannerbanquet.com or call (412) 471-6210. This charitable event and its silent auction of sports memorabilia and other items will be used to support Pittsburgh Rotary Club operations and its programs.