Staff

Doug and Linda K. Epling

Owners

Michael P. Gilligan

General Manager

Michael Gilligan brings an extensive range of marketing, communications and management to his leadership role with the West Virgina Miners. He revolutionized the concept of corporate hospitality at major sporting events as Director of Operations for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America where he designed and implemented the tournament operations program for the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup Matches and Senior PGA Championship. In addition to developing marketing plans, strategies and pricing for each event, Gilligan also directed overall site production and construction as well as “Tournament Operations Manual” to which the PGA of America uses today to operate their Major Championships. Gilligan’s role as Director of Operations with the PGA also included overseeing the entire Food and beverage program for the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup Matches and Senior PGA Championship.

Baseball is a sport which Mike shares a passion with millions worldwide. But Gilligan’s passion for sports goes further than the enjoyment of a simple game. His penchant for detail has carried him to the upper echelon of promoting a variety of sports, including baseball. After producing major golf championships for fourteen years, Gilligan became the General Manager of the Wheaton Sport Center, one of the Midwest’s premier multi-sport training facilities. For six years Gilligan managed the 150,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility while developing a wide variety of programs and special events to enable elite athletes to train and improve their strength, stamina, mental well-being and allowing them to take their sport to the “next level”.

Michael Gilligan’s accomplishments in baseball include:

• General Manager, West Virginia Miners Baseball Club
• Board of Director, Prospect League
• General Manager, West Virginia Jr. Miners Travel Baseball Program
• WVSSCA, IHSA & NCAA Certified Baseball Umpire
• Member of New River Valley Umpire Association
• Coached Elite Level Travel Baseball (Briarcliffe Blazers - Wheaton, Illinois) for seven years including a trip to the Little league World Series
• Teaching Specialist in hitting and defensive catcher techniques
• Led the Illinois West Suburban Conference in hitting 1981

Gilligan received his Business degree from Miami University, Oxford Ohio. He is an IHSA & NCAA certified baseball umpire as well as an elite level travel baseball coach for seven years. Gilligan is supported by his wife, Meghan and their two kids; Keegan, 13 and Emily, 11.

Tim Epling

Team Manager

Tim is the founder of the Upper Deck Baseball/Softball Training Center in Beckley, West Virginia. For the past twenty (20) years, Tim has been dedicated to the sport of baseball and will brings a wealth of professional baseball experience to his position as Field Manager of the West Virginia Miners.

1981 - 1983 Tim pitched for Nation Power North Carolina Methodist College where they finished #3 and #5 in the country.

1985 - 1990 Professional Baseball Umpire

1996 - 2000 Field Manager, Liberty High School; Led the baseball program to its first Sectional Championship. In five seasons, Tim compiled a 101-32 record.

2001 - 2008 Head Coach, West Virginia Tech Baseball Program; During those 7 years, WVU beat 32 nationally ranked teams. One of the victories was against #1 ranked Emery Riddle, who ended up as runner-up in the NAIA College World Series. His pitching staff was consistently ranked in the top 5 programs in the country. His pitching staff pitched 3 no hitters in 3 consecutive years.

2008 - In the fall of 2008, Coach Epling founded the Upper Deck Baseball/Softball Training Center with the intent to bring a unique approach of baseball/softball development to Southern West Virginia. Coach Epling often travels around the United States speaking to players and coaches. In addition, Tim trains various elite players and develops comprehensive programs on pitching and hitting for coaches at all levels of instruction.

Jeff Wallace

Pitching Coach

In 1995, Jeff Wallace was drafted directly out of high school by the Kansas City Royals. In 1996, Jeff was packaged in a trade along with Jeff Martin, Jeff Granger and Joe Randa and sent to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jay Bell and Jeff King. With a rocket left arm, it did not take long for Jeff to climb the ladder through the Minor Leagues as an effective set-up relief pitcher and closer. Jeff made his Major league debut on August 21, 1997 for the Pirates against the San Francisco Giants where Jeff pitched 1 scoreless inning, including striking out Home Run King Barry Bonds. During his time with the Pirates, Jeff achieved his first Major League victory against the Florida Marlins. In Pittsburgh, Jeff’s fastball was often clocked around 100mph and at times would top out at 101mph. Wallace pitched three (3) full seasons for the Pirates before being signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After one of his best seasons, Jeff was signed by the Boston Red Sox. Unfortunately, Boston would be his final destination. Jeff ended up spending most of 2002 and 2003 on the DL trying to rehab his elbow after having Tommy John Surgery.

Among Jeff Wallace's Accomplishments/Highlights:

  • Drafted 25th round of the 1995 Amateur Draft
  • MLB debut August 21, 1997
  • Retired Barry Bonds all 12 times he faced him including striking out the Home Run King 5 times.
  • Among the elite pitchers to have his fastball clocked 101mph.
  • Registered 120 strikeouts
  • Final MLB appearance was October 3, 2001

Since retiring from professional baseball in 2003, Jeff opened the Ohio Xstreme Sports Complex in Alliance, Ohio where he specialized in developing athletes and their mental approach to the game as well as developing an elite travel baseball program. Jeff looks forward to his new role as the Pitching Coach for the West Virginia Miners and promoting baseball in southern West Virginia. Jeff and his wife Sara and their two boys (Rylee, 11 and Tanyon, 5) will be relocating to Beckley, West Virginia.

Matthew Epling

Director of Entertainment & Media

Gary Epling

Director of Security & Crowd Control

Ashlee Roderick

Account Executive