Betts: Spatafora relying on culture in second year at helm of Purple Eagles

Matt Spatafora (Toronto, Ont.) is set to begin his second season as head coach of the Niagara Purple Eagles. Photo: Niagara University Athletics

February 11, 2026

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Matt Spatafora has seen a lot in his decade and a half at Niagara University.

His first season with the program as an assistant coach in 2012 saw the Purple Eagles finish 19-29 and on the outside of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament.

Twelve years later, he helped lead the team to a 38-17 record and the 2024 MAAC championship.

When then head coach Rob McCoy departed to take the top job at William & Mary College that offseason, a position that became vacant after Mike McRae (Niagara Falls, Ont.) left for Rutgers, it was Spatafora the Niagara athletic department tabbed to take over.

His first season at the helm in 2025 concluded with a 19-29 record. The team fared much better in MAAC play and at home, posting a 14-16 conference record and finishing with a 10-8 mark at Bobo Field.

With experience comes a better understanding of what works, and what doesn’t, when running a college baseball team.

“I learned that the time constraint on my time was heavier. Nothing really surprised me, though, as I had a good idea of what was required to keep the program going in the right direction,” Spatafora said.

“We really aren’t doing anything differently this year. We have an excellent program culture that continues to drive our players and program towards success.”

Being a school in the northeast United States, the start of the season sees another lengthy road trip.

It begins on Friday with a three-game series at Texas State, which is followed by series at Old Dominion, Portland, Merrimack, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Siena.

As his team takes the field, it will rely heavily on Canadian contributions.

Spatafora has routinely come north of the border to recruit as the Purple Eagles are at, or near, the top of Division I teams with the most Canadians. This year is no different, with 11 Canucks calling Lewiston, NY home.

Utility-man Curtis McKay (Dorchester, Ont.) returns as a senior after leading the team with a .314 average a year ago. Right-hander Nate Bennett (London, Ont.) will look to take the next step on the mound after opening the ’25 campaign in the rotation as a freshman and finishing with a 3-8 record to go along with a 8.74 ERA in 13 appearances, 11 of which were starts.

“Our strength offensively this year is the length of our lineup and the maturity that we displayed in the fall. We have really taken ahold of our approach and plan, so I’m excited to see our guys compete,” Spatafora said.

“On the pitching side, coach (Matt) Hape has done an excellent job in player development. Everyone from last year and our new additions have taken huge strides in their development. Our depth on the mound is much improved, as well, so I’m excited to see them compete.”

While results dictate how most view the success of a team, Spatafora wants his players to be focused on the day-to-day.

“I expect us to compete one pitch at a time and be present,” he said.

“We invest a ton of time into teaching the mental side of the game and how to make everything important but not special. Let our process take over and try not to be results oriented.”