7/23/2008

Dallas Baptist University Head Baseball Coach, Dan Heefner, has been named the 2008 ABCA Midwest Baseball Coach of the Year.  Heefner, who was also named NCAA Division Independent Coach of the Year, led the Patriots to their best season as a NCAA Division I competitor.

Director of Athletics, Ryan Erwin said, "Dan is more than deserving of this honor.  He stepped right into the head position this year with a plan and executed it.  The next few years watching Dan and his coaching staff continue to build the program into one of the top in the country is going to be fun to watch."

Heefner, who is in his first year as the Head Coach, led the Patriots through one of the toughest schedules in the nation during the season.  The Patriots have to play a tough schedule in order to be eligible for an NCAA tournament bid at the end of the year.  With the leadership of Heefner and his coaching staff DBU did not back down against any opponent and played their way to their first NCAA Division I Tournament bid, while being the first Independent team since 1992 to make the tournament.

The Patriots won several games over top 25 teams during the year, including victories over Rice (2), Oral Roberts (2), and Texas A&M (1).  DBU wrapped up their season at the NCAA Regional Tournament and finished the season 37-19.

Heefner specializes in hitting and for the fifth straight year under his watch the Patriots were ranked nationally in several offensive categories.  The Patriots finished the season tied for 24th in batting average (.323), 37th in slugging percentage (.492), 43rd in doubles per game (2.23), 46th in hits (655), and 41st in runs scored per game (7.7).

Heefner said, "The 2008 season is one that will be remembered for years to come.  God blessed us time and time again throughout the season, which was capped off by receiving an at-large bid to an NCAA Regional for the first time in school history.  It was very impressive to see how our players bonded together and played with confidence and courage beating some of the best teams in the country on a consistent basis.  It was a complete team effort, so much so that it is almost impossible to single out one person as the MVP of the team because so many players contributed in significant ways.  Our success goes beyond the current players; this breakthrough season was built on all the success and tradition of DBU Patriot Baseball.  It is such an honor to be a part of the first DBU team to play in an NCAA Regional and for that we give God all the credit and the glory!"