CLEVELAND – The Delta State University baseball program will honor former head coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss prior to the start of Sunday's 2 p.m. doubleheader against Southern Arkansas.

The Statesmen baseball team and athletics department designated 2010 as a year of celebration, marking the 50th anniversary of Coach Ferriss' inaugural season. Ferriss, a native of Shaw, Miss., compiled a 639-387-8 record at the helm of the Delta State baseball team between 1960 and 1988.

A member of the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame and the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Ferriss led the Statesmen to the Division II College World Series in 1977, 1978 and 1982, and also guided the team to four Gulf South Conference championships.

Ferriss compiled a major league record of 65-30 in five years with the Red Sox, and recorded a shutout victory over St. Louis in Game Three of the 1946 World Series. He won 46 games during his first two seasons, and later went on to serve as a coach in the Boston organization before taking over the reins of the Delta State program.

He is widely regarded as the architect of the baseball program and the Ferriss legacy is still alive today in the form of Ferriss Field and the Boo Ferriss museum. Coach Ferriss is still active in the Delta State baseball circle, rarely missing a chance to follow “his” Statesmen.

"We wanted to take a moment this season to recognize the impact and direction coach Ferriss has given to our program, University and community over the past 50 years," Jeremy McClain, director of athletics, stated.  "I encourage everyone to come out to pregame festivities on Saturday and help us thank coach Ferriss for the last 50 years!"

The pregame event, which is scheduled for 1:45 p.m., will take place at home plate prior to the start of Sunday's action with Southern Arkansas University.