Duke Baseball Academic Honors
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Duke Baseball Academic Honors At a time when college athletics are under close scrutiny for its academic shortcomings, the Duke athletic program remains a shining example of what can be accomplished with the proper perspective. The commitment to academic excellence is obvious in all of Duke’s sports programs. All of the Blue Devils teams have graduation rates near 100 percent every year. Duke is also well represented on the ACC Academic Honor Roll. For 18 consecutive years, Duke has had the most student-athletes on the conference list, which recognizes athletes who compile at least a 3.0 grade point average for the full school year. The ACC also released its inaugural All-ACC Academic Baseball Team in 2006. Duke’s Nate Freiman, Daniel Palmer and Javier Socorro were named to the team, honored for their success in the classroom and for their performance on the field. To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned All-ACC Academic Team Year Name a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and 2006 Nate Freiman 2006 Daniel Palmer maintained a 3.0 cumulative average during his academic 2006 Javier Socorro Nate Freiman career. Four-Time ACC Academic Honor Roll Members Daniel Palmer (2003-06) David Mason (1998-2001) Teddy Sullivan (1996-99) Sean McNally (1991-94) Chalmers Nunn (1973-76) Jim Perry (2003-06) Stephen Cowie (1996-99) Randy Goodroe (1994-97) David Norman (1988-91) Steve Schoettmer (1973-76) Richard Bersin (1969-72) Jeff Alleva (2000-03) Jordan Litrownik (1996-99) Chris Hammond (1992-95) Thomas Amidon (1979-82) Douglas Stoehr (1969-72) ACC Academic Honor Roll A D Carter Hill Adam Murray Steve Schroeder (2) Les Aiello David Darwin David Holloway Alan Schwartz (3) David Albright (3) Doug Davis (2) Jeremy Horowitz (2) N Brad Schwartz (2) Jeff Alleva (4) Gerry Day (2) Clinton Hutto (2) Carl Nelson Joseph Seaton (2) Thomas Amidon (4) Paul DeMarco Edward Nolan (2) Ryan Sember (3) Daniel Arlen Stephen Denison (2) J David Norman (4) Kyle Silver Justin DiLucchio (2) Drew Jerdan Brad Novak (2) David Simon B Richard Dixon (2) Brad Johnson Chalmers Nunn (4) James Simpson Tony Bajoczky (3) George Domhoff David Johnson Brian Smith Donald Battjer Fred Donegan John Johnson O Bryan Smith (3) Kyle Beachamp James Donegan (2) Andrew Jones (2) Sean O’Brien Bryan Smith Doug Bechtold (2) Brad DuPree (2) Harry Jones Mike Olexa (2) Christopher Smith Jeff Becker Russell Durfee Sidney Jones (2) Greg Oriscello (2) James Smith Karl Benzio Casey Jowers (3) Danny Otero Javier Socorro (2) John Berger (2) E Craig Starman (2) Richard Bersin (4) Craig Eskay K P Jeff Staubach Troy Blackburn Ron Esquieres (3) Ronald Kalish Daniel Palmer (4) Bob Steinbruegge Randolph Blanchard Charles Kantor (2) Brian Patrick (2) Charles Stephens Hunter Bledsoe F Kevin Kelly (3) Andrew Penrod Douglas Stoehr (4) Scott Bles (3) Austin Fearnow Mike King (3) Jim Perry (4) Mike Suglia Jeff Blickman (2) Jim Fishburn (3) Mike Kotarski Kevin Perry (2) Michael Sullivan Brian Bochow Chris Flaherty Kyle Kreick Garrett Pfeifer (3) Teddy Sullivan (4) Roy Bostock Michael Fletcher (3) Dan Phelan David Bouchard Don Fowler L Ed Piecaynski T Larry Broadway Nate Freiman Lee Lawrence Marc Plescia (2) Willie Taylor Gary Brown Tim Fremuth (2) Paul Levinson John Poff Gideon Thompson (3) Michael Budka Thomas Furlow Todd Lieber Dan Price (2) Kevin Thompson Greg Burke Jordan Litrownik (4) Raymond Toher (2) Craig Buschman (3) G Adam Loftin (2) Q James Turner (2) Jimmy Gallagher Kirk Louderback Bruce Quintana (3) C Ted Gardner (2) Albert Quinton W W.S. Campbell Adam Geis M Blake Walker Chris Capuano (3) David Gemerchak (3) Gregg Maluchnik (2) R Richard Warren Ryan Caradonna (2) David Going Daniel Mangiapani (3) Walt Rak Robert Weitzman Troy Caradonna Wes Goodner (2) Mark Manuel Steven Ratcliffe Jim Wendling Christopher Carlton (2) Randy Goodroe (4) Tigger Marshall Brent Reid (2) Charles Wickcliffe Frankie Chiou (2) Steve Gordon (3) David Mason (4) Richard Remigailo Phil Wilhelm Carl Chronister John Griffin (3) Charles Mathis (2) Tim Roberts (2) David Williams (2) Clayton Connor Jared Griffis Alex McGimpsey Jonathan Rosenblum Matt Williams Darryl Copeland Scott Grossi Sean McNally (4) Chase Russell (2) Mark Witte Frederick Cornnell Michael McNamara Bruce Ruzinsky Andrew Wolcott John Courtright (2) H Stuart Meadows Stephen Cowie (4) Marc Hafer Greg Mencio (2) S Z Charles Cox Chris Hammond (4) Edward Messikomer Jimmy Saris Jack Zarinsky (2) Robbie Cox (2) Matt Harrell (3) Mike Miello (2) Michael Schafer Jeff Zegler William Cox (2) Philip Harrell (3) Donald Mikush Vaughn Schill (2) William Zempolich (2) Stephen Cupps David Hawkins (3) William Miller Scott Schoeneweis (3) Tom Hawkins (2) Robert Moore Steve Schoettmer (4) Robert Hayes Bill Muldowney Zach Schreiber (2) 20 Duke Baseball In The Community The Duke baseball team has taken an active role in the community under the direction of second year head coach Sean McNally. “Our players have embraced the concept of service and participation in the Durham community as fundamental to being a part of our baseball program,” McNally said. “I am very proud of their efforts and know that they understand their impact in the community as role models to people of all ages. Andrew Wolcott has provided great leadership in this area as demonstrated by our participation in a wide range of projects last fall. We look forward to continuing our efforts in the Durham community in the years to come.” Sophomore Andrew Wolcott (above), who serves as the community service liaison for the baseball team, guided the Duke players on five different projects in the fall of 2006. The projects included Duke traditions such as the Verizon Read with the Blue Devils program and a trip to the Urban Ministries Soup Kitchen to sort clothes, as well as new projects. The freshmen and sophomores took part in the Walk-a-Mile Your Style walk-a-thon to aid Rogers Herr Middle School’s fundraising efforts to support Uganda and the juniors and seniors partnered with the Durham community to assist with the cleanup of Lyon Park. “It has been a privilege to interact with the Durham community on these different projects,” said sophomore Matt Williams. “It is really rewarding for us to spend time with these groups. I think it impacts us as much as we impact the people we meet. It is definitely a two-way street.” 21 Duke University Jack Coombs: Duke’s “Mr. College Baseball” Nicknamed “Mr. College Baseball,” Jack Coombs built a reputation as one of the most outstanding college baseball coaches in the country. In 24 years as head baseball coach at Duke, Coombs led the school to three NCAA District titles, five Southern Conference crowns and seven North Carolina championships. He retired from coaching at the age of 70 after compiling a 381-171-3 record at Duke from 1929-52. In 1951, he coached Duke to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., where the Blue Devils lost in the third round. Coombs, who called himself “The Old Man,” sent 47 players to the Major Leagues including Dick Groat, Bill Werber, Chubby Dean, Harold Wagner, George Barley, Larry “Crash” Davis, Eric Tipton, Russ Bergman and Eddie Shokes. Born in LeGrande, Iowa, Coombs learned to play baseball on the rocky fields of Maine before attending Colby College. He became one of the first Jack Coombs coached the Blue college players to ever play in the Major Leagues. Devils from 1929-1951. Upon entering the big leagues with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1906, he soon acquired the nickname “Colby Jack” because of his association with Colby College. In his first year in the Major Leagues with the Athletics, he The Coombs File pitched and won the longest game on record in the American League -- 24 innings, Philadelphia Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox, Sept. 1, 1906. Under the • Nicknamed “Mr. College Baseball” guidance of Coach Connie Mack, Coombs won fame as a member of the • Led Duke to three NCAA District titles, lost team’s great pitching threesome -- Coombs, Bender and Plank. He helped in the third round of the College World Series Philadelphia win three world in 1951 championships. He is one of • Retired from Duke at the age of 70 the few pitchers to win three • Won 28 games in 1911 games in a single World Se- • Inducted into the Duke Sports Hall of Fame ries and one of the only pitch- in 1977 ers to win five World Series • Finished his Major League career with 351 games games, concluding his career played, 2,321 innings pitched, a 159-110 record with a 5-1 World Series record. (.591 winning percentage), 1,055 strikeouts, 824 After starring for the Ath- walks and 2,032 hits allowed letics for eight seasons (1906- • Won 31 games in 1910, finishing 31-9 while 14), he signed a contract with breaking the American League shutout record the Brooklyn Dodgers. He played for Brooklyn for four with 13 years (1915-18) where he • Led Duke teams to a 381-171-3 record from pitched under manager 1929-52 Wilbert Robinson. • Led the Blue Devils to seven state champion- In 1919, Coombs withdrew ships and five Southern Conference titles his name from the active player • Sent 47 players to the Major Leagues list and immediately got into • Inducted into the Collegiate Baseball Coaches coaching. He managed the Hall of Fame when it was formed in 1965 Philadelphia Phillies and was • Inducted into North Carolina Sports Hall of a coach with the Detroit Tigers Fame on May 7, 1987 before accepting a position as • Authored one of the best-known books on head baseball coach at Will- the game - “Baseball - Individual Play and iams College in Williamstown, Team Strategy,” published by Prentice Hall.