Former Coach Ron Polk Named to College Baseball Hall of Fame
3/25/2009 4:20:00 AM | Baseball
LUBBOCK, Texas - The College Baseball Foundation announced the names of the 10 players and coaches comprising the 2009 National College Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Class. Joining the 2009 group is former Georgia Southern head coach Ron Polk.
“This is an exciting day for the Hall of Fame every year,” said Mike Gustafson, co-chair of the Hall of Fame and member of the CBF Board of Trustees. “It's another remarkable class.”
The remaining members of the 2009 Hall of Fame class are: Branch Rickey, player and coach from Ohio Wesleyan and Michigan is the Vintage-Era inductee; University of St. Francis head coach Gordie Gillespie is the small-school inductee; Joe Carter, outfielder, Wichita State; Darren Dreifort, pitcher/DH, Wichita State; Kirk Dressendorfer, pitcher, Texas; Barry Larkin, shortstop, Michigan; Keith Moreland, catcher/utility, Texas; Rafael Palmeiro, outfielder, Mississippi State; and Todd Walker, second baseman, Louisiana State.
Polk is one of only three coaches to lead three different schools to the College World Series ? Georgia Southern, Mississippi State and the University of Georgia. He concluded his 35-year career as a head coach last spring with a career record of 1,373-700-2 (.662). His teams made eight College World Series appearances, won five SEC championships and made 23 Regional appearances.
From 1972-75 Polk coached the Eagles to a 155-64 record (.708 winning percentage) and consecutive NCAA Regional appearances in 1973 and '74.
During the 1973 season, the Eagles won the NCAA District 3 title (Starkville, MS). Georgia Southern lost the first game to Vanderbilt but then defeated Miami (Fla.) 1-0, Vanderbilt 5-2 and Miami again 4-1 to advance to the College World Series. The Eagles dropped their opener to Texas 6-3, defeated Harvard 8-0 then were eliminated by Minnesota 6-2.
Hall of Fame inductees are chosen based on the votes of more than 110 representatives from coast to coast. Voters include retired and active coaches, media members and previous inductees.
To be eligible for the College Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, players must have completed one year of competition at a two-year institution in the CCCAA or NJCAA or a four-year NCAA (Division I, II or III) or NAIA institution. Ballot-eligible coaches must have retired or be active and no less than 75 years old.
“This class is not short on household names in college baseball,” said Jeff Chase, co-chair of the Hall of Fame and a member of the CBF Board. “Last year's group was dominated by pitchers, but this year the position players have taken over. We can't wait for the induction festivities in early July.”
The 2009 inductees will be honored on July 3 as part of the College Baseball Foundation's annual celebration of both the past and present of college baseball from July 2 through July 4 in Lubbock.
