3/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina University will dedicate its baseball playing field at Charles Watson Stadium in a pre-game ceremony, Saturday, March 13, prior to CCU hosting George Mason. The ceremony to honor the contribution of former CCU baseball coach John Vrooman and his parents Irv and Bernice Vrooman will be held on the field prior to the 2 p.m. start of a two-game weekend series with the Patriots.
Vrooman served as CCU's head baseball coach for 13 seasons, including from 1974-77 and from 1987-95. He had a record of 345-256 (.574) during his tenure, including leading CCU to six consecutive Big South Conference regular season championships from 1988-93, a pair of conference tournament titles in 1991 and 1992 and the program's first-ever appearance in a NCAA Regional in 1991 at Florida State.
Spurred by the contribution of Vrooman, the baseball field has undergone several improvements in the recent offseason in time for the start of the 2004 campaign. Among those are the new outfield wall, a completely redone infield, along with new fencing and dugout extensions. Also, a new sound system has been installed that has the ability for separate adjustments for the playing field and the stands.
Among the dignitaries at the event will be Vrooman's family, including wife Deborah and daughter Ava Ann. The University will be represented by President Dr. Ronald Ingle, former chancellor Dr. Edward M. Singleton, CCU Director of Athletics Warren "Moose" Koegel and head baseball coach Gary Gilmore, along with the CCU baseball team.
