HEAD COACH

 

Born in North Carolina and raised in Virginia until he was 18, Coach Daniel has proudly called North Carolina home ever since. Now 36, he’s a devoted father to three amazing kids, Bryson (10), Walker (8), and Kaisley (2), and loves sharing his love of baseball with them and every player he coaches.

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Coach Daniel has been hooked on baseball since he could first pick up a ball, playing through childhood, high school, and competing in Legion ball post 146. As a standout athlete, he earned spots as a starting pitcher on varsity and starting third baseman, giving him a deep, versatile understanding of the game.

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When his boys first stepped onto the field, Coach Daniel knew he wanted to be right there with them, teaching, encouraging, and leading by example. He’s been coaching ever since, dedicating himself to helping young players build strong fundamentals, develop confidence, and grow both as athletes and as people.

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Coach Daniel is driven by the excitement of watching kids learn, improve, and fall in love with baseball just like he did. His passion, energy, and commitment make him an inspiring mentor and a cornerstone of any team lucky enough to have him.

ASSISTANT COACH

 

Coach Mark discovered his love for baseball at just seven years old and has carried that passion with him ever since. Over the past four years, he has dedicated himself to coaching, guiding young athletes and sharing the game with his two sons, LT and Avery.

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Baseball is a true family affair for Coach Mark, as his wife, Janelle, also shares a deep love for the sport.

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Specializing in batting and infield techniques, Coach Mark is committed to helping players develop strong fundamentals, build confidence, and reach their fullest potential on and off the field. He takes pride in instilling discipline, fostering a love for the game, and empowering each player to achieve their goals.

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Coach Mark brings energy, expertise, and a deep dedication to the Aviators organization, helping shape the next generation of talented and resilient ballplayers.

ASSISTANT COACH

 

Shawn Howard grew up here in North Carolina, mostly in the Fayetteville area. He now lives in Raleigh with his wife Samantha, their two kids (Evan (10) and Quinn (7)), and dog, Oliver. Shawn played competitive soccer and baseball throughout childhood, mostly playing in the middle infield. Like Evan, he prided himself on getting on base, stealing every bag he could, and smooth slides!

 

For the past six years, Shawn has been an assistant or head coach for Evan’s baseball teams, including fall and spring teams in the West Raleigh organization and local 9U and 10U travel ball teams. He loves working with the boys on baserunning and fielding, particularly learning to make smart baseball decisions. As a bench coach, he also believes strongly that a team first environment starts with the boys cheering each other on during games and having each other’s back when the game is not going well. His number one goal as an assistant coach is to make sure each player is engaged, has the right attitude, cares about his teammates, and gives maximum effort for the good of the team.

 

Shawn’s law firm, Maginnis Howard, is a consistent sponsor of youth baseball in Wake County, including the Aviators, as Shawn believes strongly that travel baseball teaches its athletes the commitment, hard work, and dedications necessary to be successful in life.