just some information i found.
Ward Inducted Into National College Baseball Hall Of Fame
Courtesy: okstate.com
Release: 07/04/2008
Courtesy: okstate.com
Gary Ward is the third Cowboy to be inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.
LUBBOCK, Texas — Oklahoma State coaching legend Gary Ward was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame Thursday.
Ward became the third former Cowboy inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas, during a ceremony honoring the Class of 2008. He joined his former OSU pupils Robin Ventura (Class of 2006) and Pete Incaviglia (Class of 2007) in the hall. OSU has had an inductee into the hall in each of its first three years of existence.
Ward was OSU's head baseball coach from 1978 through 1996 and guided the Cowboys to an unprecedented 16-straight conference titles, 17 NCAA Regional appearances and 10 trips to the College World Series. Seven of OSU's CWS appearances (1981-87) were in consecutive years, which is an NCAA record. The Cowboys also appeared in the NCAA championship game three times under Ward.
In 19 seasons in Stillwater, Ward compiled a record of 953-313-1, a winning percentage of .753, before retiring prior to the 1997 campaign.
While at OSU, 108 of Ward's players went on to sign professional contracts, and nine were named first-team All-Americans. He also coached three college baseball players of the year, two Olympic gold medalists and the 1988 Golden Spikes Award winner (Ventura).
Ward's influence and accomplishments extended beyond the playing field at OSU. He was the driving force behind the planning, funding, design and construction of Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, and his leadership helped raise the necessary funds for stadium improvements in 1995.
Ward came out of retirement and was the head coach for two seasons at his alma mater, New Mexico State, in 2001 and 2002. He led the Aggies to the Sun Belt Tournament championship and an NCAA appearance in 2002.
Ward's career record of 1,022-361-1 (.739) is 13th-best all time based on win percentage and ranks 24th in the NCAA record books in wins.
Recognized as a leading authority on hitting, Ward's energetic and enthusiastic approach and demonstrations are still in constant demand at baseball clinics throughout the country. Eight of his OSU teams led the nation in runs scored.
Ward came to OSU in 1977 after seven successful seasons at Yavapai Junior College in Prescott, Ariz. Yavapai won two national championships, and Ward finished with a 240-83 career record at the school. Following his two national championships in 1975 and 1977, Ward was named the NJCAA Coach Of The Year.
To be eligible for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, coaches must have achieved 300 wins or won at least 65 percent of their games.
Hall of Fame inductees are chosen based on the votes of more than 90 representatives from across the country. Voters include coaches, media members and previous inductees.