Courtesy of Dusty Sloan, Ashland Sports Information Director
ASHLAND, Ohio -- Ashland University head baseball coach John Schaly has garnered many honors in his three successful decades guiding college teams.
The latest honor came on Tuesday (July 18) afternoon, as it was announced that Schaly will be inducted into the 2018 class of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame on Jan. 5 during the ABCA Convention at the J.W. Marriott in Indianapolis, Ind.
Schaly and the rest of the 2018 Hall class will be inducted at the 2018 ABCA/Diamond Hall of Fame/Coach of the Year Banquet. With his election into the ABCA Hall of Fame, Schaly and his late father, Don Schaly, become just the second father-son combination to be inducted, along with Paul and Demie Mainieri.
"I'm truly honored and humbled to be included in this group of great coaches," said Schaly. "I've been blessed to have a number of dedicated assistant coaches and talented and hard-working players over the years, which has made my job a lot easier."
In 30 seasons as a head collegiate baseball coach as Berry (1988-91), St. Leo (1992-97) and Ashland (1998-current), Schaly is 1,089-604-7 (.643). His two decades leading the Eagles has seen him go 726-386-4 (.652) with five regular-season Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships (1999, 2002, 2004, 2015, 2016), a GLIAC Tournament title in 2013 and 14 NCAA Division II postseason appearances (1999-2004, 2006-10, 2013, 2015-16).
The 2009 Eagles were ranked as high as third in Division II, the highest ranking in program history, while the 2006 AU squad finished the campaign ranked No. 5 in the country, the best season-ending rank in Ashland baseball history.
Schaly has earned four ABCA regional Coach of the Year awards (1999, 2002, 2006, 2008) and six GLIAC Coach of the Year awards (1999, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2015).
"I have been fortunate to be at three great institutions, with the last 20 being here at Ashland," Schaly said. "With great support from our administration, that has enabled us to be as successful as we've been."
Said Ashland Director of Athletics Al King, "As exceptional as John's career numbers are, they in no way present the complete picture of what he's meant to college baseball. He was an outstanding student-athlete who excelled at a storied NCAA Division III program (Marietta). John's an accomplished teacher who's taught the game the right way at several levels and institutions.
"For over 20 years, he's guided our program, and we are better for it. John's vision, determination and desire lifted Ashland University's program to heights that were once considered unfathomable. His pursuit of excellence has never waned, and that's a lesson the young men who have played for him can carry with them the rest of their lives."
Joining Schaly in the 11-person 2018 ABCA Hall of Fame class are Ed Blankmeyer, St. John's University (N.Y.); Hill Denson, Belhaven University (Miss.); Don Freeman, Prairie High School (Wash.); Jim Gilligan, Lamar University (Texas); Tim Hill, Sr., State College of Florida; Bobby Howard, Columbus High School (Ga.); Andy Lopez, University of Arizona; Stan Luketich, Desert Vista High School (Ariz.); Pat McMahon, New York Yankees and Frank Permuy, Gaither High School (Fla.).
Tickets for the 2018 ABCA Hall of Fame induction will go on sale starting in September.
