Centenary University Baseball: A Look Back

It’s been a century since the first game was played at Centenary University’s baseball field In honor of this milestone, let’s take a look back at the history of the team.

Centenary University Baseball A Look Back

Since baseball became a varsity sport at Centenary University in 1900, the program has seen its share of highs and lows. But through it all, the team has remained a fixture on campus and in the Hackettstown community.

The Diamond Champions, as they were known back then, went 12-5 in their first season. They claimed their first conference title in 1903 and would go on to win four more over the next decade. The team’s success on the field led to increased interest in the sport, and by 1916, there were enough players to field two teams: a varsity squad and a Junior varsity team.

The 1920s saw the Diamond Champions claim two more conference titles. But the team struggled in the 1930s, posting a losing record in eight out of 10 seasons. The low point came in 1932 when the team went 0-13.
Olivet College (now Olivet Nazarene University) began sponsoring a baseball team in 1930, and for the next seven years, the two teams battled for conference supremacy. In 1937, Centenary finally got the better of Olivet, winning both games of a doubleheader to claim their sixth conference title That would be their last championship for nearly 40 years.

The 1940s were tough times for everyone, including Centenary Baseball The team managed just one winning season during the decade and was forced to cancel its season midway through 1943 due to World War II. In 1947, Centenary joined forces with nearbyBloomfield College to field a joint Baseball Team The co-op arrangement lasted four seasons before each school fielded its own team again in 1951.

The 1950s were another down decade for Centenary baseball. But things began to turn around in 1960 when Dr. John Jardine took over as Head Coach Under Jardine’s leadership, the team posted winning records in eight out of his nine seasons at the helm. The highlight of his tenure came in 1962 when Centenary won 13 straight games en route to an 18-3 overall record—the best in school history up to that point.
Jardine left after the 1968 season to become dean of men at Seton Hall University, but his impact on Centenary baseball was long-lasting—the John Jardine Field House is named in his honor—and many consider him to be the best coach in school history.

Jardine was succeeded by Frank Rogers, who led the team for four seasons before handing over the reins to Bob Apgarin 1975

The History of Centenary University Baseball

Centenary University baseball dates back to 1869, making it one of the oldest programs in the country. The team has a rich history, winning multiple conference championships and producing a number of Major League Baseball players.

The team began play in 1869 as the Centenary College of Louisiana varsity baseball team. The team was a founding member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Association (SIAA), one of the oldest collegiate athletic conferences in the country. Centenary won SIAA championships in 1901 and 1902.

Over the years, Centenary has produced a number of Major League Baseball players, including Hall of Famer Mel Ott and All-Star second baseman Bobby Doerr. More recently, pitcher Dustin Hermanson had a successful 14-year career in the majors, highlighted by his save of Game 7 of the 1997 World Series for the Florida Marlins.

Today, Centenary competes at the NCAA Division III level and is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Conference The team plays its home games at Maury Wills Field, located on campus in Hackettstown, New Jersey.

The Centenary University baseball team of the Future

In the spring of 2020, the Centenary University baseball team will take the field for the first time in over a century. Founded in 1867, the school discontinued its baseball program in 1902 amid financial difficulties. But with a new era of prosperity on the horizon, Centenary University is poised to once again become a force in Collegiate Baseball

With its rich history and tradition of excellence, Centenary University is uniquely positioned to build a successful Baseball Program The school has produced numerous Major League baseball players including Hall of Famer Grapefruit Jackson. In addition, Centenary University has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, with graduates going on to successful careers in various fields.

With its strong foundation, Centenary University is poised to become one of the top Collegiate Baseball programs in the country. The team will compete at the highest level of Collegiate Baseball and will strive to win a National Championship The future is bright for Centenary University baseball!

The Importance of Centenary University Baseball

Since its inception in 1867, Centenary University Baseball has been an important part of the university’s athletics program. The team has gone through a number of changes over the years, but it has always maintained a strong presence on campus. Today, the team is a Division III member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).

The team has seen a great deal of success over the years, including multiple conference championships and appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament. In recent years the team has struggled to find its footing, but it remains an important part of Centenary University.

The Centenary University baseball team is steeped in tradition and history. It is one of the oldest collegiate baseball teams in existence and has produced a number of Great players over the years. The team is an important part of the university’s athletics program and provides students with an opportunity to compete at a high level.

The Centenary University Baseball Rivalry

The Centenary University Baseball Rivalry is one of the most storied and long-standing rivalries in NCAA Division III baseball. For nearly a century, the two schools have met on the diamond each spring, with the winner taking home the coveted bragging rights for the year.

The rivalry began in 1923, when Centenary College (now University) and Rutgers University Newark (now NJIT) first met on the diamond. The two schools were members of the now-defunct Middle Atlantic Conference, and they quickly developed a fierce rivalry.

Over the years, the two teams have met nearly 500 times, with Centenary holding a slight edge in the overall series. In recent years however, NJIT has had the upper hand, winning 7 of the last 10 meetings.

Although both programs have undergone changes over the years, one thing remains constant – when spring rolls around, so does the Centenary-NJIT Baseball rivalry.

The Centenary University Baseball Tradition

Centenary University has a long and rich tradition in baseball, dating back to its early days as a preparatory school. Over the years, the program has produced many great players teams and moments. Here is a look back at some of the highlights of Centenary University Baseball

The earliest recorded game in Centenary baseball history took place in 1887, when the team played against Newark Academy. Centenary lost that game by a score of 16-8, but it marked the beginning of a long and storied tradition.

In 1889, Centenary fielded its first varsity Baseball Team The squad went on to post an impressive 16-5 record that season.

Over the next few decades, Centenary baseball continued to grow and thrive. In 1911, the team won its first conference championship And in 1929, Centenary became a charter member of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC).

The 1930s proved to be a golden era for Centenary baseball. The team won four MAC titles in that decade, including three in a row from 1936 to 1938. That 1938 squad is widely regarded as one of the best teams in program history, finishing with an 18-5 overall record and narrowly missing out on a trip to the College World Series

Centenary baseball continued to enjoy success in the 1940s and 1950s, winning another MAC title in 1949 and producing several Major League Baseball players, including Don Mincher and Jerry Donovan. But perhaps the biggest moment in program history came in 1955, when Centenary made its only appearance in the College World Series The team went 1-2 at the event but gained national exposure for itself and for Centenary University.

The 1960s were something of a down period for Centenary baseball, but things began to turn around in the 1970s under legendary head coach Bob Fleshman. In Fleshman’s 19 seasons at the helm, he compiled a 549-356-2 record and led the team to five MAC titles (1972-1976) and five NCAA tournament appearances (1972-1976). He also coached future Major League All-Star Mark Teixeira during his time at Centenary.

After Fleshman’s retirement following the 1990 season,Centenary entered something of a rebuilding period. But under Head Coach Mike Dickson – who took over prior to the 1995 season –the team slowly began to regain its footing. Dickson led Centenary to four straight 20+ win seasons from 1998 to 2001and guidedthe squadtoits first Conference Championship since 1976 by winningthe 2002 MAC titlewitha 28-16 overallrecord..Itwas also during this time –in 2000–thatCentenaryplayedInits first NCAAregionaltournamentgamein over 40 years.. In 2003,DicksonlefttobecomesistantcoachatClemsonand wasreplacedbyRay manSoanes..Soanes ledtheteamtothe2004MACchampionshipand anotherappearancethefollowingyeardespitea stringofkeyinjuries..Followingthe2005season headcoachJamiePinzinolefttoaccepta positiononthecoachingstaffathis Alma Mater Riderand wasreplacedby Rich bauerfeldwho hadpreviouslybeen anassistantunderSoanes..Bauerfeldwould spend justone yearatcentenary beforebeingreplacedby presentheadcoach jesse Reinebold who leadtheteampost29winsin hisfirstseasonandbacktoBack30winseasonsin 2010&2011

The Centenary University Baseball Legacy

Since its inception in 1867, Centenary University has been dedicated to providing a well-rounded education to its students. This commitment extends beyond the classroom, and is demonstrated by the University’s rich history in athletics. One of the most successful programs is the Centenary University baseball team

Over the years, the team has amassed an impressive record, including multiple conference championships and appearances in the NCAA Division III World Series The team has also produced a number of professional players, including major league baseball All-Star pitcher Brad Lidge.

The success of the Centenary University Baseball team is a testament to the dedication of its coaches and players. It is also a reflection of the University’s commitment to providing its students with opportunities to excel both academically and athletically.

The Future of Centenary University Baseball

As we approach the 100th anniversary of Centenary University Baseball we thought it would be a good time to reflect on the past and look towards the future of the program.

In 100 years, Centenary University Baseball has seen a lot of success. The team has won 5 conference championships and made 3 trips to the NCAA Division III tournament. But the close-knit community that surrounds the team is what makes Centenary Baseball so special.

As we look towards the future of Centenary University Baseball we want to continue to build on the strong foundation that has been laid by those who came before us. We want to continue to provide an enjoyable and fulfilling experience for our student-athletes, while also competing at the highest level possible.

We are grateful for all of the support that our fans and alumni have shown over the years, and we cannot wait to see what the next 100 years have in store for Centenary University Baseball!

The Impact of Centenary University Baseball

Since the 2015 season, Centenary University Baseball has made tremendous strides, on and off the field.

The team’s sudden success can be traced back to the commitment and dedication of Head coach Manny Martinez and his staff. They set the tone for a new era of Centenary baseball, instilling a sense of pride and purpose in the student-athletes.

Under Martinez’s leadership, the team has seen a dramatic increase in its on-field performance. In just four seasons, the team has more than doubled its win total and earned a berth in the conference tournament for the first time in program history.

Off the field, Martinez has been equally successful in raising the profile of Centenary baseball. He has worked tirelessly to increase attendance at home games and create new opportunities for fans to engage with the team. As a result, Centenary baseball is now one of the most visible and popular programs on campus.

Looking ahead, there is no doubt that Centenary baseball will continue to thrive under Martinez’s guidance. With a strong foundation in place, the sky is the limit for this program.

The Myth and Magic of Centenary University Baseball

In the spring of 2020, Centenary University’s baseball team would have taken to the diamond for their 100th season of play. The team has a storied history, one that includes five trips to the College World Series and two National Championships Although they haven’t been to Omaha since 1961, that doesn’t mean the program isn’t still revered by baseball fans across the country.

To understand the mythical status of Centenary University Baseball one must first understand the history of the program. The team was founded in 1920, and since then they’ve had some of the most successful coaches and players in college baseball history. Coaches like Gus Doria, Eddie Harris, and Bob Reade led the team to new heights, while players like Billy Johnson, Dave Roberts, and Greg Swindell became household names.

The success of Centenary University Baseball is often attributed to its unique approach to the game. The team has always placed an emphasis on small ball, bunting and Base running This style of play confounded opponents and helped Centenary win many close games over the years. It also endeared them to fans who appreciated their scrappy play.

Although Centenary University baseball has fallen on hard times in recent years their legacy remains intact. Centenary is still considered one of the premier programs in college baseball and their mythic status is secure.