Former UVA All-American Kevin Arico added to Virginia baseball staff

Kevin Arico has been named a student assistant coach for the UVA baseball program, head coach Brian O’Connor announced Thursday (Aug. 21). Arico played for the Cavaliers from 2008-10.

Arico will finish his bachelor’s degree while working with the Cavalier program.

“Kevin was a great pitcher in our program, and I’m thrilled that he is coming back at UVa to complete his degree,” O’Connor said. “He will bring a lot to our players and program during the next academic year. We’re excited to have him back and on our coaching staff.”

Arico played on three NCAA tournament teams with the Cavaliers and was a central figure in Virginia’s first trip to the College World Series in 2009. He ranks second in career saves at Virginia with 29 and is tied for 10th in career appearances with 72. Arico posted a 5-4 record and a 3.16 ERA in his career while limiting opponents to a .241 batting average.

Arico was named a First-Team All-American by Louisville Slugger and the NCBWA and also was voted First-Team All-ACC during the 2010 season. He led the nation with 18 saves in 2010 when he a finalist for the NCBWA’s Stopper of the Year Award. At the time, he broke the UVa single-season saves record and matched the ACC single-season mark.

A native of Annandale, N.J., Arico was selected in the 10th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds and played with the organization until he retired in 2013.