Charlotte baseball head coach Loren Hibbs will be one of six individuals to be inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame. Hibbs, a 1984 graduate of Wichita State, is set to begin his 26th season as the Charlotte 49ers skipper in February.
"What a tremendous honor," began Hibbs. "It is always great to be recognized for your achievements. Not only for the accomplishments during my time playing and coaching at Wichita State but also for the caliber of the program we have built and maintained here at Charlotte."
Hibbs, who still holds the NCAA record for most runs in a season scoring 125 times in 1982, played in that year's College World Series championship game and was one of three outfielders named to the all-tournament team. Hibbs won two regular season conference titles, one conference tournament championship and two NCAA regionals in addition to the runner-up finish in 1982.
After college, Hibbs spent time with the San Francisco Giants farm system before rejoining the Shockers from 1985-92 as an assistant coach. Wichita State won the national championship in 1989. As an assistant to Gene Stephenson, Hibbs made trips to the NCAA tournament in six of his seven years and to the College World Series in four of his last five.
Hibbs will begin the 26th season with the 49ers on Feb. 16 as the longest-tenured coach in athletics. He has 763 wins entering the year and needs just seven more for 350 in conference play. Hibbs has brought the 49ers baseball program back into prominence within Conference USA. The 49ers received national attention last year, and Hibbs continues to spearhead efforts for more games at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte.
"I want to thank all of the players and coaches who have been such a big part of the past 34 years," finished Hibbs. "I am most thankful for my family, my wife Lisa, our children Tyson, Erin and Lanie, and my mother Linda. None of this happens without their support and commitment over the years."
Hibbs will join former major leaguers Casey Blake and Dave LaRoche, as well as Jim Newlin, Dennis Walker and Larry Cheney, as 2018 inductees into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.