Stephen Flora
The Victoria Generals announced today that Stephen Flora has been named the team's new head baseball coach for the 2013 summer season. Flora, who is currently the assistant coach at Wharton County Junior College, will replace former General's head coach Chris Clemons who resigned following the 2012 season to become a full-time scout for the Chicago Cubs.
“We’re very excited to introduce Stephen Flora to the Victoria Generals family,” said Blake Koch, Victoria’s general manager. “After we found out that Clem would not return for 2013, we immediately set our sights on hiring Stephen. He was our clear-cut, number-one choice during the whole interview process, so we are thrilled that he accepted the position to lead our team this summer.”
Flora is currently in his second year as the assistant coach at WCJC where he serves as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.
Flora is no stranger to the Texas Collegiate League, having served as the assistant coach for the TCL Champion Coppell Copperheads during the 2011 season.
“Stephen has already experienced a great deal of success in our league in the past, helping the Copperheads to a championship just two years ago,” stated Koch. “We are confident that he will help us build a solid roster that will be able to compete for another TCL championship this summer.”
The Generals last won the TCL championship in 2010. In the team’s four years in the TCL, the Generals have compiled an overall record of 132-88 and have reached the championship series three times. The Generals fell just short of winning their second TCL championship in 2012, falling to the East Texas Pump Jacks in the championship finals.
Prior to his time at WCJC, Flora served as an assistant coach at Texas A&M University –Kingsville and Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi while working on his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Flora recently graduated with his Master’s of Science degree in educational administration from A&M-Kingsville. Flora also has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in finance from A&M-Corpus Christi.
Prior to his senior year at A&M-Corpus Christi, Flora was a Johnny Bench Award nominee, a Lowe’s Senior Class Award nominee, and a Preseason All-Southland Conference honoree as a catcher. During his junior year, he led the Southland Conference with a .380 batting average en route to being named the conference Newcomer of the Year. He was named a College Baseball Insider National Player of the Week as well.
As a senior and team captain, Flora slugged 18 doubles and nine home runs while driving in a team-high 43 runs.
Following his senior year, Flora signed professionally with the Midwest Sliders of the independent Frontier League where he spent one season.
Flora played his junior college ball at Galveston College where he was a Texas/New Mexico All-Star.
Flora will make his head coaching debut on Friday, May 30 as the Generals take on the Woodlands Strykers in The Woodlands. The Generals home opener is slated for Tuesday, June 4 at Riverside Stadium against the Texas Marshals.
Season tickets for the Victoria Generals 2013 season are on sale now. Fans can buy tickets and merchandise at the team store and front office located at 1307 East Airline Road Suite H, online at www.VictoriaGenerals.com, or by calling 361-485-9522.
The Generals are currently having a 25% off holiday sale on all merchandise and season ticket packages. Sale ends December 31.
