The winningest coach in the history of the Monmouth College
baseball program will coach one last season this spring. Roger
Sander, who enters his 22nd season with a school-record 353
wins, will retire from the coaching ranks at the end of the season.
A fixture at Monmouth for more than 30 years, Sander will continue
to perform his duties as the Fighting Scots' equipment manager.
"I've got some minor health issues that prohibit me performing
the job up to the standard I expect of myself," explained Sander of
his decision to retire from coaching. "It's the right time to call
it a career."
Sander, a 1978 graduate of Monmouth, has had a quite notable
career. As an assistant and then a head coach, he's been a part of
more than 500 wins on the diamond, which is almost half of the
program's total victories. He was part of more than 300 basketball
wins as a player and assistant coach.
"I never got into coaching for the records," said a modest
Sander. "That record just means I've been around a long time."
The Scots won 11 Midwest Conference South Division Championships
under Sander, including seven straight from 2001-07. The 2002 squad
posted a 26-13 record, winning the conference title and advancing
to the championship game of the NCAA Regional at Monmouth's Glasgow
Field.
"Probably the conference championship season in 2002 was most
special," said Sander of his diamond experiences. "Two of my
brothers and wife were all battling cancer at that time and it was
just a very emotional season. That's not to say there weren't other
great teams. We had some glory years with guys like Rich Well, Jake
Libby, Chris Wheat, Michael Blaesing, Casey Boydstun, Scott Woods
and so many more. Those were some special times."
Including his time as an assistant, Sander can count 19 South
Division titles and eight league crowns, and that's just
baseball.
Sander also served as an assistant coach on the basketball court
for more than 16 seasons. His basketball résumé is as
impressive as his baseball experience, garnering 11 division crowns
and three league titles as an assistant under the legendary Terry
Glasgow. A two-time basketball All-American as a student-athlete,
Sander holds the men's season and career records for rebounding and
double-doubles.
"Coach Sander has been a mainstay in Monmouth athletics since
his days here as a player," said Monmouth's Director of Athletics,
Roger Haynes. "His dedication and passion to
support the student-athletes at Monmouth College is
remarkable. His high expectations of himself and unwavering loyalty
to those around him are invaluable qualities he tries to instill in
his players."
When Sander retires from coaching in May, he will be the fourth longest-serving coach in the history of Fighting Scots athletics. Only Haynes, Glasgow and Bobby Woll have had longer tenures at Monmouth.