Head Coach: Chris Blaquiere
904.766.6752

Coach Blackie grew up in Jacksonville (Arlington) and attended Terry Parker High School where he also met his wife to be. He was a two sport letterman all three years in football and baseball. Most notably, he played three years for one of the winningest coaches in the state of Florida, Howard May. After graduation in June of 1981, he matriculated to the University of Richmond to play football and baseball. In 1983, Chris transferred to Valdosta State University where he played baseball for one of the winningest Division II coaches in the nation, Tommy Thomas.

Coach Blackie has been a part of the FCCJ Baseball tradition since 1991 as an assistant coach and instructor of GED, Student Success, Career Exploration, and Sport Psychology. As assistant coach, his on field duties included instruction of infield, outfield, hitting and conditioning. Off field duties included scouting, recruiting and camp director. As the head coach, Chris likes to take a hands–on approach to instruction. He maintains a physical presence with the players as they work on developmental skills. “If a coach can perform what he instructs, then the players will trust the learning process.”

Coach Blackie is a strong believer in academics and how a student/athlete’s future is shaped in the classroom first and on the field second. He emphasizes the total development of a young man’s mental, physical and emotional maturity. Words like accountability, responsibility and honor describe his philosophy.

“Every person has the ability to shape his/her future through upholding daily responsibilities. Although we will fail and our weaknesses will show, what we do with this humbling fact will dictate the level of personal growth that ultimately will decide future opportunities for success.”

Born: February 9, 1963 Atlanta, GA
Married to the former Candace Bailey
Children: Kylie (17) and Cameron (12)

Education:
Terry Parker High School 1981
University of Richmond 1981–1983
Valdosta State University 1983–1986
B.B.A. — Marketing 1985
B.B.A. — Management 1985
B.S. — Psychology 1986
Rider University
M.A. — Counseling Psychology 1993