WATERLOO, Ont. - Laurier Athletics & Recreation has named former Golden Hawk student-athlete Jake Tougas (TOOG-iss) as the fifth head coach in the history of its men's baseball program.

A native of North Bay, Ont., the 33-year-old returns to lead the program where he spent five seasons as a pitcher from 2012-16, serving as team captain in his final year while helping establish a culture of success both on and off the field.

Tougas brings a wealth of coaching experience spanning the university, high school and player development levels, including West Ferris Secondary School and the North Bay Baseball Association, with a strong emphasis on pitching development, leadership, accountability and mentorship.

His connection to Laurier's program runs deep, having also served as an assistant coach with the Golden Hawks during the 2019 season.

His tenure with Laurier has already included championship success. Tougas was a member of the Golden Hawks team that captured the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship in 2013 and later helped guide the program to another conference title as an assistant coach in 2019.

"Jake brings a strong combination of playing and coaching experience within our program, along with a deep understanding of what it means to be a Golden Hawk," said Courtney Bruce, Laurier's associate director of interuniversity sport programs.

"His background as a former student-athlete, captain and OUA champion, combined with his experience in athlete development, coaching across multiple levels of baseball and leadership within university, high school and development environments, will be a tremendous asset as he takes on this role. We are excited for the impact he will have in continuing to elevate our baseball program both on and off the field."

Tougas' familiarity with the program's culture, history and expectations made him a natural fit to take over the helm. His experience as both a student-athlete and coach provides a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed within the Golden Hawks program.

"Having spent time with this program as both a player and a coach, stepping into the role of head coach is incredibly meaningful to me," said Tougas. "Laurier has played a major role in my development, and I'm excited for the opportunity to help guide the next generation of student-athletes.

"My vision is to build a program that is known for strong player development, where our athletes are challenged to reach their full potential both on and off the field. We want to create a culture built on accountability, competitiveness and pride in representing Laurier, while continuing to build on the strong foundation that has already been established within the program."