By Chris Stevens
J.P. Blandin started his 25th season as Delaware State baseball a few weeks ago, with more than 500 wins and six MEAC Northern Division titles to his credit.
Following the Hornets’ doubleheader sweep of Norfolk State Friday, Blandin announced that his silver season will be his last, as he will retire at the conclusion of this season.
“I would like to thank The DSU Community for accepting me as part of the Hornet Family over the past 25 years,” Blandin said in a statement released by the university. “I will always be grateful for the opportunity to build relationships with the students, faculty, and administration and will always take much pride in saying that I will always be a Hornet!”
Blandin took over prior to the 2000 season as former Hornet coach Tripp Keister accepted a job as a manager at the minor league level. The interim tag was quickly removed as Blandin began leading the Hornets to MEAC Northern Division titles and played in the last MEAC championship series to date in 2022, falling to Coppin State.
The Hornets, along with three other MEAC schools – Coppin State, Maryland-Eastern Shore and Norfolk State – are currently associate members of the Northeast Conference for baseball.
Blandin’s final MEAC record is 259-129 and last April, he won his 500th game overall as head coach.
“You know, you blink, and here you are. I had no idea that I would be at DSU this long,” Blandin told HBCU Sports last season. “I’m just super grateful. It’s been great. I’ve been appreciative of all the student-athletes that come back and to all the guys who’ve come in and helped on a coaching level and hope they’re getting closer to the best version of themselves.”
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