JACKSON — Some people are born to play, while others are born to coach. In the case of Delta State University head baseball coach Mike Kinnison, he is lucky enough to have the gift for both. The former manager turned All-American shortstop turned national champion head coach received the highest honor an athlete or coach can receive in Mississippi on Monday, as the Sports Hall of Fame tabbed the Benton native announced its inductees for 2011. Kinnison joins Jeff Brantley, Con Maloney, Rita Easterling, Jerrel Wilson and Corky Palmer as members of the latest class to be called by the Hall.

“It's a tremendous honor to even be considered for the Hall of Fame, but to hear your name called is humbling,” Kinnison stated. “It's such an honor to into the Hall of Fame with the likes of Dave “Boo” Ferriss, Lloyd Clark and so many others. I don't feel like I belong with those guys.”

Kinnison's drive to succeed and commitment to excellence has been the catalyst that has carried the Benton native to over 900 career victories on the high school and collegiate levels, but family has always been at the center.

“I wouldn't be here today without the support of my wife and kids and my extended family,” Kinnison added. “At DSU, we've always been proud of the family atmosphere we have within our program and that support has made this possible.”

The 1978 Delta State graduate holds the distinction of being the only collegiate head coach in Mississippi history to capture an NCAA national championship, a feat accomplished by the Statesmen in 2004.

In 14 seasons as the skipper for the green-and-white, Kinnison has amassed a 621-182-1 overall record, including the highest winning percentage (.772) of any active Division II head baseball coach. He also ranks second all-time and fifth among coaches regardless of division in career winning percentage.

Kinnison has directed the Statesmen to four Gulf South Conference titles in 2008, 2004, 2003 and 2000. In 2004, he led the green-and-white to a 54-11 record and the NCAA Division II National Championship with a 12-8 win over Grand Valley State.

Before returning to his alma mater, Kinnison was an accomplished high school coach in Mississippi. Kinnison coached at Lee Academy (1979-81), Jackson Prep (1982-92), and Madison Central (1993). He claimed three Mississippi Private School Association State Championships at Jackson Prep in 1982, 1990 and 1991. During his prep coaching career, Kinnison compiled a career record of 292-83 (.779).

As a player, the former Benton Academy product transformed himself from DSU's manager into an American Baseball Coaches Association All-American under legendary head coach and fellow Hall of Famer Dave “Boo” Ferriss. With Kinnison at shortstop, the Statesmen appeared in back-to-back College World Series in 1977 and 1978. He still shares a piece of the single-season doubles record with 25.

Kinnison will be enshrined at the BancorpSouth Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, which is scheduled for the weekend of July 29-30, 2011. For event and ticket information, please contact the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame at 1-800-280-FAME (3263).

For more information on the 2011 MS Sports Hall of Fame Class, please log on to www.msfame.com.


YEAR-BY-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS UNDER KINNISON AT DELTA STATE:
2010
• Named Coach of the Decade by the Gulf South Conference
• 12 players under his direction were named to the All-Decade Team by the Gulf South Conference
• Jason Coats and Josh Gordon named All South Region
• 34-16-1 record
• Three players named All-Gulf South Conference
• Defeated No. 1 Southern Arkansas by the ten run rule two-of-three times in 2010

2009
• Under Kinnison's guidance, the Statesmen amass a 38-16 record overall and an 18-3 finish in Gulf South Conference play.
•Delta State claimed a share of its 12th West Division title since Kinnison took over in 1997.
• Seven Statesmen were named to the All-Gulf South Conference First or Second Teams including Clay Sartain (2B), Devin Goodwin (SS), Kellen Bozeman (DH), Cade Hoggard (OF), Michael Niemann (OF), Levi Bishop (RP) and Korey Cunningham (SP).
• Devin Goodwin was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and was drafted in the 33rd round by the St. Louis Cardinals.

2008
• The Statesmen marched to an impressive 48-11 overall record in 2008 en route to their 11th Gulf South Conference title in school history.
• Delta State marched through the GSC to a 17-1 record in West Division play, and would go on to win the title with a 7-5 win over Montevallo in the championship game.
• Coach Kinnison and DSU would host the NCAA South Central Regional for the fifth time in eight years at Ferriss Field, only to fall to Ouachita Baptist in the regional final.
• Junior second baseman Clay Sartain and senior catcher Rickey Noland were named to the American Baseball Coaches Association All-American Third Team. Sartain was a Second Team All-American by Daktronics, while Sartain, Noland, and OF Hunter Jobes wete honorable mention All-Americans by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
• After delivering a solid junior campaign, RHP Kenny Smalley was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 24th round (Pick 724) of the Major League Baseball Draft. Catcher Rickey Noland later signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Nine Statesmen were named to the Gulf South Conference All-GSC First of Second Teams.

2007
• After missing the NCAA South Central Regional in 2006, coach Mike Kinnison directed the Statesmen to a 45-16 record and a return trip to NCAA postseason play.
• Despite not winning the GSC West Division crown for the first time in 13 years, the Statesmen advanced to Arkadelphia, Ark., and the NCAA SC Regional. DSU placed fourth and eliminated the tournament's top seed, Ouachita Baptist.
• Brett Durand was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association Third Team All-American squad after recording an 11-4 mark with a mere 1.96 ERA and 117 strikeouts.
• Durand was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 11th round of the Major League Baseball Amatuer Draft. Centerfielder Jarek West went in the 25th round to the Oakland A's.
• Chris Clark was named to the Rawlings/ABCA Gold Glove Team after compiling a .991 fielding percentage at first base.
• Clay Sartain (2B), Jarek West (CF) and Brett Durand (P) were named to the All-South Central Region First Team. Devin Goodwin (SS), Hunter Jobes (RF) and Justin Smith (P) were named to the Second Team.
• Nine Statesmen were named to the First and Second Team All-Gulf South Conference squads.

2006
• Delta State finished the year 37-17 overall, and 20-4 in Gulf South Conference play. Along the way, Kinnison claimed his 450th career win and the 13th-straight GSC West Division title.
• Rusty Rayborn was named a Second Team ABCA All-American and the Gulf South Conference West Division Pitcher of the Year after posting a n 11-2 record with a 1.89 ERA.
• Bryan Williamson garnered First Team All-GSC and Third Team ABCA All-American after batting .378 with 12 home runs and 78 RBI. Williamson led the team in hits (79), doubles (24), and slugging percentage (.684).
•Gary Scott Gabbert (DH), Robert Tucker (P), Hunter Johnson (1B), and Chris Weast (P/3B) joined Williamson and Rayborn on the All-GSC team.
• Derek Norris was named the Gulf South Conference West Division Freshman of the Year.

2005
• Mike Kinnison recorded his 400th career win versus Harding University on April 2, 2005. The Statesmen downed the Bison 11-1 at Ferriss Field.
• The Statesmen finished the season 52-10 overall and 19-4 in the Gulf South Conference.
• DSU advanced to the NCAA DII College World Series for the fourth time under Kinnison after sweeping the NCAA South Central Region at Ferriss Field.
• Craig Newton was named an American Baseball Coaches Association First Team All-American. Brett Donahoo and Brad Lightsey claimed Second Team ABCA All-American honors.
• Craig Newton set a new school record for career games played. Fellow senior Eric Patten also topped the old mark held by Brian Rea.
• Brent Leach was drafted in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League.

2004 - The Title Comes to Cleveland
• The Statesmen set a new school record for victories (54) en route to the program's first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship.
• The Statesmen defeated Grand Valley State University 12-8 in the National Championship game. DSU defeated Central Missouri twice (6-5, 10-9), and Columbus State (14-5) on the road to the title. The only bump along the way was a 12-9 loss to Central Missouri.
• Jud Thigpen (OF) and Chris Reed (DH) were named to the American Baseball Coaches Association All-America First-Team. Mark Broome (3B) was named to the Second-Team.
• Jud Thigpen was named the NCAA Rawlings/ABCA National Divison II Player of the Year after batting .429 with 24 doubles, 14 homeruns, and 80 RBI. The senior from Cleveland did not commit an error all season, and also garnered Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's Defensive Player of the Year.
• DSU downed Valdosta State 22-5 to claim its second-straight Gulf South Conference Championship. It was the third under Kinnison's direction.
• First baseman Bert Pickard, a junior from Biloxi, was named NCAA Division II College World Series Most Valuable Player.
• Mark Broome led the Statesmen with 15 homeruns on the season. Broome was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and is currently playing with the Johnson City Cardinals.
• Josh Barton finished the season 12-1 with a 4.19 ERA. Brad Lightsey went 11-1 with a 5.19 ERA, and Matt McAlpin went 10-1 with a 4.37 ERA.
• McAlpin picked up the win in the NCAA title game.

2003
• The Statesmen closed the season with the third best record in school history (52-10). DSU fell to Abilene Christian 13-10 to end the season at the NCAA South Central Regional in Cleveland.
• Delta State defeated Alabama-Hunstville 9-2 to claim the second Gulf South Conference Championship in Kinnison's tenure. It was the first since the 2000 season.
• The Statesmen posted an impressive 27-2 record at home, 20-8 mark on the road, and 28-4 in the Gulf South Conference.
• Matt McAlpin posted an 11-3 record with a 3.22 ERA, while Josh Barton went a perfect 7-0 with a 2.73 ERA.
• Dusty Hughes, 8-1 with a 3.33 ERA, posted 93 strikeouts in 67.2 innings pitched. The junior from Horn Lake was drafted in the ninth round by the Kansas City Royals. He is currently in Class-A with High Desert.
• Edwin Maysonet led DSU in hitting with a .384 average and tied the school record for doubles in a season with 25. Maysonet was drafted by the Houston Astros and is currently in Class-A with the Lexington Legends.
• Jud Thigpen played his second position in as many years (left field) and did not commit an error all season. He also batted an impressive .379 with a team-high 15 home runs and 76 RBI. He was also named to the American Baseball Coaches Association First-Team All-America Squad.

2002
• Delta State finished the season with a 50-8 record and a sixth place finish in the College World Series. DSU lost to Columbus State 6-5 to end its chances of a NCAA National title.
• DSU claimed the GSC Western Division crown with a stellar 20-2 conference record. However, the Statesmen stumbled in the GSC Tournament falling to Southern Arkansas 2-0.
• The Statesmen claimed the NCAA South Central Region title after defeating Central Oklahoma 16-10, and Abilene Christian twice 6-5 and 3-2 at Ferriss Field.
• Andy Dillard garnered First Team All-American honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings. Dillard batted .425 with 13 home runs and 80 RBIs.
• Andy Dillard, Steven Tomaszewski, and Jay Garner were named to the All-South Central Region squad. Mike Kinnison was named All-South Central Region Coach of the Year.
• The Statesmen placed nine players on the All-GSC Team. Andy Dillard (3B), Tomaszewski (1B), Edwin Maysonet (SS), J.J. Joiner (LF), Clint Turman (CF), Jay Garner (P), Dusty Hughes (RP), Eric Smith (RF), and Reeves Smith (P) were all selected.

2001
• The Statesmen finished the 2001 campaign 50-11, 19-2 in the Gulf South Conference. DSU fell to eventual National Champion St. Mary's, 17-4 to end the season in the South Central Regional in Abilene, Texas.
• Delta State defended the home field, as the Statesmen went 20-0 at Dave “Boo” Ferriss Field.
• Freshman righthander John Polles went 10-1 for DSU with a 4.65 ERA, while fellow freshman Dusty Hughes went 7-0 with a 3.49 ERA.
• Catcher Eli Whiteside, a Baltimore Orioles draft pick batted .402 with 10 home runs and 75 RBIs. Third Baseman Marcus Van Every paced the Statesmen with 81 RBIs, while batting .389 with nine home runs. Brian Parkton connected on 10 home runs while driving in 62.
• The Statesmen won 19 consecutive games between March 31, 2001 and April 29, 2001. The streak included one of the most lopsided games in school history, as DSU bombed Union 44-11. The Statesmen scored 44 runs on a school record 35 hits in the game.

2000
• Kinnison directed the Statesmen to his first GSC Championship going 48-12 overall and 13-3 in the GSC. Delta State defeated North Alabama 11-1 in the GSC Championship game on May 7, 2000.
• Delta State advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional in Abilene, Texas. The Statesmen won their first two game, but would end up falling to eventual champion SE Oklahoma State in two games.
• Dee Haynes, an outfielder, would claim the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings National Player of the year Award after batting .381 with 22 home runs and 87 RBI. In 60 games, Haynes went 88-for-231 at the plate and committed only six errors in the field. Haynes also collected ABCA All-American honors.
• Delta State connected on an astounding 84 home runs as a team. Haynes paced the club with 22. A.J. Downs smashed 16 and Marcus Van Every connected on 14.
• Statesmen placed eight players on the All-GSC Team., including Eli Whiteside (C), Bradly Clay (2B), Brian Rea (3B), A.J. Downs (OF), Bryan Nobile (RP), Roger Bonnette (P), Marcus Van Every (1B), and Brian Parkton (SS).

1999
• Statesmen closed the 1999 season with a 41-12 record overall and an 11-3 GSC mark. The 1999 season proved to be the first season in the last six that the Statesmen advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional under Mike Kinnison.
• The Statesmen claimed their third consecutive Western Division title, but did not find the same successes in the GSC Tournament Championship game. The Statesmen fell to UNA 10-7 in the title game.
• Jeremy McClain put together one of the greatest seasons ever recorded by a DSU pitcher. The Houlka native went 15-0 with a 2.16 ERA. He also eclipsed the 100 strikeout barrier with 101. Opponents batted just .240 against the righthander on the season. McLain would garner First-Team ABCA/Rawlings All-American honors for the season.
• Joining McClain on the First-Team ABCA/Rawlings All-American Team was Dee Haynes. Haynes smashed a school-record 26 home runs and drove in 92 RBIs while batting .444. The Columbus native went 92-for-207 at the plate and committed just five errors on the season.

1998
• The second season under Mike Kinnison saw the Statesmen post a 39-12 record overall and earn a trip to the GSC Tournament.
• Dee Haynes and Casey Myrick garnered ABCA All-American honors after posting tremendous seasons. Haynes batted .393 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs, while Myrick batted .426 with nine home runs and 66 RBI.
• Statesmen placed 10 players on the All-GSC Team. Dee Haynes (OF), Casey Myrick (OF), Jeremy Luse (P), Jimbo Pinnix (SS), Jeremy McClain (P), Russ Perkins (P), Brian Rea (3B), Jason Cochran (1B), and Will Lowery (OF) were selected.
• Haynes, Myrick, and McClain were all selected to the All-South Central Region Team.

1997
• Mike Kinnison took over the reigns of the Statesmen baseball program in the summer of 1996 and he promptly guided the Statesmen to a 36-20 overall record and a 12-4 finish in the GSC West.
• Delta State finished second in the GSC Torunament losing to UNA 8-7 in the Championship game.
• Will Lowery paced the Statesmen with a .390 batting average, while slamming seven home runs and driving in 51. Spencer Holman led DSU in RBI with 65, while hitting .360 with eight home runs.
• Jeremy McClain led the Statesmen in wins going 9-4 on the year with a team-leading 3.92 ERA. Opponents managed a .236 batting average against McClain.
• Mike Kinnison garnered his first ever GSC Coach of the Year honor in 1997. The Statesmen placed six players on the All-GSC Team. Spencer Holman (1B), Jimbo Pinnix (P), Casey Myrick (OF), Will Lowery (OF), Jeremy McClain (P), and J.D. Robinson (P) were selected.
• Spencer Holman was voted the Gulf South Conference Western Division Most Valuable Player.