The New Orleans Privateers baseball program has brought back former All-American and Major Leaguer, Johnny Giavotella to be the general manager of the program.
As part of the position and in concurrence with the recently announced Youth Recreation Partnership, Giavotella will lead planning and execution of youth baseball programs and build partnerships with local youth-focused nonprofit organizations to increase access to baseball for underrepresented communities.
“I am incredibly honored to be the first General Manager of the University of New Orleans baseball program,” said Giavotella. “I look forward to sharing my 11 years of professional experience and knowledge with the players and coaches in this locker room.”
Giavotella is in his third stint with the Privateers. His first was during a decorated career from 2006-08. In that span, the New Orleans native had a .363 career batting average. His 256 total hits rank fourth in program history while his 203 runs scored are the third most. He also ranks in the top ten in doubles, triples, home runs, RBI and slugging percentage.
Giavotella earned first team All-American honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association. Also in ’07, Giavotella was Sun Belt tournament MVP, first team all-conference and was named to the all-regional team as the Privateers played in the Wichita Regional that season.
The former Jesuit High School standout returned to the Privateers in 2019 as an assistant coach. That season, the Privateers had another All-American in Reeves Martin and their first Gold Glove winner in program history in Salo Iza.
“We are excited about bringing Johnny on board,” said Head Coach Andrew
Gipson. “He’s made of all the right stuff. He was a hard-nosed, blue-collar player. He will be the same in this role. He will help us manage our outreach partnerships in the community, organize and raise money for NIL, and be the connecting piece to a proud alumni base. I’m excited about his role and proud to lock arms with a Privateer great.”
Also as general manager, Giavotella will coordinate fundraising efforts to support opportunities for student-athletes to utilize Big Blue, which is the University’s NIL collective.
READ MORE:Privateers legend, former MLB player Johnny Giavotella named General Manager of UNO baseball program
