The College Baseball Foundation announced last week the names of
the 10 players and coaches comprising the 2009 National College
Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Class. It inclues two with ties to
D-III schools: Branch Rickey, a player/coach from Ohio Wesleyan,
and former Ripon coach Gordie Gillespie.
On this year's ballot was a new category recognizing the
contributions from D-III schools and other small programs. "We are
delighted to finally recognize the ‘small school' category of
college baseball," said Mike Gustafson, co-chair of the Hall of
Fame and member of the CBF Board of Trustees. "Coach Gillespie was
the overwhelming choice of our voting committee."
Gillespie, who has coached for more than five decades, said he is
thrilled to be a part of the 2009 College Baseball Hall of Fame
Class. "I can't tell you how excited and overwhelmed I am to
receive this tremendous honor," he said. "To be going in with such
a select group of college players ... as well as my dear friend Ron
Polk, who is one of the most brilliant minds in college baseball,
is unbelievable."
Gordie Gillespie was Ripon's head baseball coach from 1996-2005
and is credited with getting the baseball program to its current
level. During his time at Ripon, Gillespie went 236-129 (.646
winning percentage), celebrated six division titles, five
conference championships, and was named conference coach of the
year four times. Gillespie is currently college baseball's all-time
winningest coach with 1,741 career victories in 55 seasons at
Ripon, Lewis, and St. Francis (Ill.). Gillespie is currently the
head baseball coach at St. Francis (Ill.).
Coming from the "Vintage-Era" category, designated for those who
played or coached prior to 1947 was Branch Rickey. Perhaps best
known for signing Jackie Robinson to a contract with the Brooklyn
Dodgers, Branch Rickey was named the most influential figure of the
20th century in sports by ESPN. He played his first two seasons at
Ohio Wesleyan before signing a professional contract, whereupon he
assumed the head coaching duties. While playing for the St. Louis
Browns, he coached baseball and football at Allegheny. Upon
completion of his playing career, he began studies at the
University of Michigan Law School. After his college coaching
career was over, Rickey embarked on a career as a major league
manager and executive and is credited with creating the concept of
farm systems as well as the batting helmet.
Other nominations from in the small school category with D-III
baseball ties were Tim Jorgensen, UW-Oshkosh and John Deutsh,
Montclair State.