PEORIA, Ill. – After 38 years in collegiate coaching, including 17 seasons at the helm of Bradley University Baseball, Head Coach Elvis Dominguez has announced his retirement.

"On behalf of Bradley University and our Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, I want to thank Elvis for his years of dedicated service to our baseball program," said Dr. Chris Reynolds, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics. "We are grateful for his commitment to our student-athletes and wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

Since joining Bradley in 2008, Dominguez focused on building a stable foundation for the baseball program. In 2015, the Braves earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Louisville Regional—their first postseason appearance in nearly 40 years. That season, the team recorded 36 wins, the most since 1996, and secured a 9–4 victory over Morehead State, marking Bradley's first NCAA Tournament win since 1956.

In the years that followed, Bradley maintained a competitive presence in the Missouri Valley Conference. Under Dominguez's leadership, the program posted a winning conference record in four consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. His overall coaching record includes 542 career wins, with 364 of those at Bradley. Dominguez holds the distinction of having the second most wins as head coach in Bradley Baseball history.

"I've been very blessed and lucky to have lived one of my dreams for the last 38 years as a college baseball coach," Dominguez said. "I've been equally blessed to have coached great and talented young men of high character and have worked alongside talented, dedicated assistant coaches who have traveled along in this journey with me."

During his tenure, Bradley Baseball received national academic recognition, earning seven consecutive ABCA Team Academic Excellence Awards. The team posted a program-record GPA of 3.467 in 2023–24.

Dominguez's story began in Cienfuegos, Cuba. At just eight years old, he and his family fled the country aboard one of the last Freedom Flights in 1971. Growing up in Miami, Dominguez eventually earned a baseball scholarship to Creighton University—becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. A four-year starter at shortstop for the Bluejays, Dominguez led the team with a .348 batting average as a senior.

His coaching journey took him from Creighton to Iowa, Eastern Kentucky, and finally to Bradley. At every stop, he impacted the lives of players and coaches. Dominguez developed 26 Major League players, 28 All-Americans, 64 All-Missouri Valley Conference honorees, six Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball All-Americans, and four conference Players of the Year.

Dominguez also served in national leadership roles, including as Chair of the ABCA Rules and Competition Committee, where he contributed to the review and interpretation of NCAA rules.

"I want to also thank Bradley University for allowing myself and my family to be a part of this great university for the last 17 years," he added. "To all the alums and donors, thank you for all your continued support throughout the years. I'm thankful for every coach I've worked with during this time, but more importantly the players. I am so proud of what they have accomplished after leaving the program. Not only have they been successful in their career paths after baseball, but have become great husbands and fathers—great role models in their communities."

Though retiring from coaching, Dominguez plans to remain a proud supporter of the Braves.

"I will be following and cheering from the stands rather than the dugout going forward—but always rooting for the Braves! I look forward to the next chapter and spending more time with my family, who have sacrificed so much during this journey."

Elvis and Mary Pat have lived in Washington, IL for over 15 years and are the parents of three children: Breanne, Brooke, and Christian. Breanne and Christian are both Bradley graduates, with Christian earning his degree in 2019 after four years with the Braves baseball program.

Bradley University will conduct a national search for its next head baseball coach.