LaRoche

Jim Tinkey is entering his 23rd year as the Athletic Director for La Roche University in 2020. Tinkey first came to La Roche in 1987 and served as the head baseball coach for 10 seasons before assuming the position of Athletic Director. He also was the head men's golf coach for 22 years from 1998 to 2020. During his tenure as head golf coach, the Redhawks placed 48 student-athletes on the AMCC All-Conference team, had four different AMCC Newcomers of the Year, and on six occasions, a golfer from La Roche has been named AMCC Player of the Year. Tinkey was named AMCC Coach of the Year three times during his career (2002, 2011, 2016).

During his tenure as Athletic Director, La Roche teams have won 23 AMCC tournament championships, 23 AMCC regular season championships and have made 20 appearances at the NCAA tournament.

Tinkey received his bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University (YSU) where he pitched for the Penguins in 1983.  Following his junior season at YSU, Tinkey was drafted in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the California Angels.  He spent six seasons in the Angels’ organization.  Tinkey, received his master’s in Education from Slippery Rock University in 1995 and was named director of Athletics at La Roche College in 1997.

Tinkey is a native of Youngstown, Ohio.  He and his wife Dayna reside in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh with Dayna’s son Aiden. Tinkey’s two sons, J.D. and Andy, both attended college in Michigan. J.D. is currently the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at the University of Detroit.