DEARBORN, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn is excited to announce the hiring of Matt Cunningham as the first head baseball coach in the program's history, effective immediatelyThe Wolverines are set to begin competing in the NAIA and the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference starting with the 2017-18 school year, joining women's soccer and bringing the total number of NAIA sports offered at UM-Dearborn to 10.

"We are excited to welcome Matt Cunningham, the first varsity baseball head coach to UM-Dearborn," UM-Dearborn Director of Athletics & Recreation Matt Beaudry said. "The addition of baseball will increase sport opportunities at UM-Dearborn. Matt's passion for teaching and coaching along with his commitment to student-athlete success and development make us very excited to watch him guide our new program."

Cunningham has coaching experience with the Bullpen Baseball Academy in Novi, Mich., where he was the lead individual catching instructor and directed the organization's winter clinics. He also instructed camps for Wayne State University baseball, Strictly Catching and Anthony Bass Pitching.

Cunningham completed a standout career at Wayne State in 2008. He was a two-time captain, four-time Academic All-League and was named to the GLIAC All-League Second Team in 2005. Cunningham earned the prestigious NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award in 2008 and received the GLIAC Commissioner's Award for Academic Excellence.

In May 2016, Cunningham graduated with Juris Doctorate from Wayne State. He also graduated from Wayne State with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, Cum Laude, in 2007 and with a Master of Arts in Education, Cum Laude, in 2009.

"I want to thank Matt Beaudry and the search committee for this opportunity," Cunningham said. "I am excited to lead the young men of our program to success on the field, in the classroom, in the community and for life beyond their time at UM-Dearborn."