Ball State University Athletics
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Rich Maloney Honored with FCA Baseball’s Jerry Kindall Award
January 10, 2017 | Baseball
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – This past weekend, Ball State baseball head coach Rich Maloney was honored by Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Baseball with the 2017 Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award. The award was presented at the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Convention.
FCA Baseball presents the Kindall Award each year at the ABCA Convention to the college or high school baseball coach who best exemplifies the Christian principles of character, integrity, excellence, teamwork and service.
"FCA congratulates coach Maloney on his well-deserving honor," FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson said. "Coaches have the opportunity to impact more people in one year than most do in a lifetime, and Rich Maloney has lived up to that charge. It's for this reason that, 62 years after our inception, FCA is committed to honoring coaches who exhibit the qualities of a godly leader who can truly change lives through their service."
"At FCA Baseball, we want to inspire all coaches to be coaches of character," added David Daly of FCA Baseball. "Coach Maloney has impacted thousands of players over his long and successful career, and we are excited to see what the rest of his career has in store for him and how he will continue to glorify God through baseball."
The winningest baseball coach in Ball State history, Rich Maloney served as the Cardinals' head coach from 1996-2002 and again from 2013-present. Over 21 seasons—10 at Ball State and 11 at Michigan—his career head coaching record is 732-481-1 (.603), and he entered 2016 ranked 45th nationally for the best winning percentage and 37th for victories among active NCAA Division I Coaches.
The annual FCA Baseball award is named after Jerry Kindall, who was the first person in NCAA history to win a baseball national championship as both a player and a coach. In addition to his three titles at the University of Arizona as a coach, Kindall played shortstop for the 1956 National Champion University of Minnesota team.
Signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1956, Kindall went on to play eight seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Following his professional career, Kindall became the University of Arizona Wildcats head skipper from 1973-96. He is Arizona's all-time leader in career wins, finishing his coaching career with a record of 860-580-6.
"From day one, Coach began to change not only me, but the entire culture of the Ball State baseball program," said Sean Godfrey, 2013 MAC Player of the Year, All-American and Atlanta Braves draft pick. "With him, he brought a new mindset and passion to the program. As a player, every moment became an opportunity to not only grow as a player but as a man too. I consider Coach to be my mentor and I attribute much of my success to his teachings. Whether you needed some help with your swing, some motivation, or just someone to talk to, Coach was there for me whenever I needed it. I am very fortunate to have played for coach Maloney for two years and value our friendship today."
"Coach Maloney was more than an outstanding baseball coach to me," added Jon Kessick, who played at Ball State from 1997-99 and was a third-round draft pick for the Baltimore Orioles. "He was a mentor and a life coach. He believed in me and never allowed me to settle for less than my very best, on or off the field. I am without a doubt biased, but I have not met a greater coach in all of baseball who knows how to truly develop a player and a team into victory."
Past Kindall Award winners include Dan McDonnell (2016), Brian Shoop (2015), Ray Hughes (2014), Rusty Stroupe (2013), Scott Berry (2012), Victor "Bubba" Cates (2011), Dave Altopp (2010), Carroll Land (2009), Elliot Johnson (2008), Mark Johnson (2007) and Jerry Kindall (2006). To learn more about the Kindall Award, visit fcabaseball.org.
Ball State's 2017 season opener is slated for Feb. 17 in Clearwater, Florida, against Maryland.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
FCA Baseball presents the Kindall Award each year at the ABCA Convention to the college or high school baseball coach who best exemplifies the Christian principles of character, integrity, excellence, teamwork and service.
"FCA congratulates coach Maloney on his well-deserving honor," FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson said. "Coaches have the opportunity to impact more people in one year than most do in a lifetime, and Rich Maloney has lived up to that charge. It's for this reason that, 62 years after our inception, FCA is committed to honoring coaches who exhibit the qualities of a godly leader who can truly change lives through their service."
"At FCA Baseball, we want to inspire all coaches to be coaches of character," added David Daly of FCA Baseball. "Coach Maloney has impacted thousands of players over his long and successful career, and we are excited to see what the rest of his career has in store for him and how he will continue to glorify God through baseball."
The winningest baseball coach in Ball State history, Rich Maloney served as the Cardinals' head coach from 1996-2002 and again from 2013-present. Over 21 seasons—10 at Ball State and 11 at Michigan—his career head coaching record is 732-481-1 (.603), and he entered 2016 ranked 45th nationally for the best winning percentage and 37th for victories among active NCAA Division I Coaches.
The annual FCA Baseball award is named after Jerry Kindall, who was the first person in NCAA history to win a baseball national championship as both a player and a coach. In addition to his three titles at the University of Arizona as a coach, Kindall played shortstop for the 1956 National Champion University of Minnesota team.
Signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1956, Kindall went on to play eight seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Following his professional career, Kindall became the University of Arizona Wildcats head skipper from 1973-96. He is Arizona's all-time leader in career wins, finishing his coaching career with a record of 860-580-6.
"From day one, Coach began to change not only me, but the entire culture of the Ball State baseball program," said Sean Godfrey, 2013 MAC Player of the Year, All-American and Atlanta Braves draft pick. "With him, he brought a new mindset and passion to the program. As a player, every moment became an opportunity to not only grow as a player but as a man too. I consider Coach to be my mentor and I attribute much of my success to his teachings. Whether you needed some help with your swing, some motivation, or just someone to talk to, Coach was there for me whenever I needed it. I am very fortunate to have played for coach Maloney for two years and value our friendship today."
"Coach Maloney was more than an outstanding baseball coach to me," added Jon Kessick, who played at Ball State from 1997-99 and was a third-round draft pick for the Baltimore Orioles. "He was a mentor and a life coach. He believed in me and never allowed me to settle for less than my very best, on or off the field. I am without a doubt biased, but I have not met a greater coach in all of baseball who knows how to truly develop a player and a team into victory."
Past Kindall Award winners include Dan McDonnell (2016), Brian Shoop (2015), Ray Hughes (2014), Rusty Stroupe (2013), Scott Berry (2012), Victor "Bubba" Cates (2011), Dave Altopp (2010), Carroll Land (2009), Elliot Johnson (2008), Mark Johnson (2007) and Jerry Kindall (2006). To learn more about the Kindall Award, visit fcabaseball.org.
Ball State's 2017 season opener is slated for Feb. 17 in Clearwater, Florida, against Maryland.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
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