Athletics Hall of Fame – October 2, 2010
In just the second year of the program’s existence, the 1994 Coker University Baseball Team put together what can be considered one of the greatest seasons in the history of Coker Athletics. The success of the team brought national recognition to the baseball program, and to Coker University as a whole.
Led by Head Coach Dave Schmotzer, the 1994 Coker University Baseball Team finished with a record of 48 – 12. The springboard for the season’s success was an 8-2 Spring Trip to Texas, which included a 3-0 victory over NCAA Division I ranked Texas Christian University. The team was ranked as high as #3 and finished the season ranked #6 in the national NAIA poll. The Cobras won the Carolinas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAC) Tournament, the NAIA Mid-East Regional and a berth in the 1994 NAIA College World Series in Des Moines, Iowa. The team’s Regional Championship and trip to the College World Series were firsts in Coker Baseball history.
Members of the ’94 team include the following:
• Shane Bailey
• Jeff Swangim
• Justin Towey
• Brandon Thompson
• Jason Kupcak
• Cade Thompson
• Ryan Christmas
• Brian Holladay
• Allie Oswald
• John Curnias
• Terry Clarkson
• Chad Parrot
• Brian James
• Robbie Reed
• Chris Goodrum
• Sean Cowley
• Hal Edwards
• Chris Counts
• Robby Alexander
• Lou Warner
• Bob Elliott
• Jason Forster
• John Crowther
• Sam Arminio
• Doug Podrabsky
• Brian Eatz
• Rob Darnell
• Benji Blanton
• Jeremy Lynn
• Head Coach- Dave Schmotzer
• Assistant Coach- Brooks Shumake