BENCH BOSS
STORY BY JOSH COOK PHOTOS BY JOE ULLRICH
Tre ’ Watson has worn many different hats during his time with the Providence baseball team .
First , he was a player for the Pioneers . Then , he was an assistant coach . Now , he is their head coach . On June 15 , Watson won his third state championship – in his third different role – with Providence .
“ Providence baseball is basically my heart and soul ,” the 26-year-old , who has spent almost half of his life involved in the program , said following the Pioneers ’ 9-0 win over Illiana Christian in the Class 2A state championship game at Victory Field . “ I have been here since 2012 and haven ’ t stopped , except for a year-and-a-half .”
After helping Providence win its first state title ( in 2016 ) as a player , Watson continued his baseball and academic careers at Vincennes University before injuries forced him to give up the sport . Watson , who finished his college education at IU Southeast , returned home in 2018 and was hired as an assistant coach .
“ As soon as I was done with college baseball I came in , because my father-in-law was still coaching ,” he said of then-head coach , and current assistant , Scott Hornung .
PROVIDENCE HEAD COACH TRE ’ WATSON GETS THE VICTORY BATH AFTER THE PIONEERS ’ 7-6 VICTORY OVER GREENCASTLE IN THE CLASS 2A PLAINFIELD SEMISTATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME JUNE 8 .
20 PROVIDENCE PIONEERS | BASEBALL | IHSAA CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPS 2024 NEWS AND TRIBUNE