BELTON, Texas – After more than 34 years of service to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Head Baseball Coach and former Vice-President for Athletics Ben Shipp has announced he is retiring in early 2020.  To ensure a smooth transition, Shipp will step down as head baseball coach effective May 3, 2019.  For the remainder of Shipp's service, he will be involved in various Athletics Division projects.
 
"It has been my pleasure to serve the University in my role as baseball coach, twice, and as an administrator," Shipp said. "I've been able to keep my family in one place for most of my career and that means the world to me. I will always be grateful for UMHB and the opportunities I have had here."
 
During Shipp's service in administration and in coaching at UMHB, he has many notable achievements, including leading UMHB's baseball team to play in the NAIA National Championship game in 1992, and a conference championship in 1994.  During his time as Vice President for Athletics, he led UMHB's collegiate athletic programs from NAIA to NCAA Division III. He closes out his coaching career with 397 career victories with the Cru.
 
Shipp also initiated a number of new sports programs, including football, women's golf, and women's soccer, and he led many athletics facilities advancements including the Mayborn Campus Center, the UMHB Sportsplex, which includes Yvonne Li Tennis Center, Red Murff Field, Dee Dillon Field, the baseball/softball batting facility, Andersen Field House and the soccer fields, in-house concessions, lighting and sound.  Shipp served on the NCAA Division III Baseball Committee for five years and as Chair for two of those years. Shipp was also a major contributor to the planning and design of Crusader Stadium.