Veteran Kirkwood Coach John Lewis marks four figures in 29th year in Eagles Baseball
May 2, 2008-AMES, Iowa- Coach John Lewis, Kirkwood Community College head baseball coach, reached his 1,000th win on April 27, 2008 in a game versus Southeastern Community College. The Eagles beat Southeastern in the first game of a double header 6-2 to reach the 1,000 mark. The assistant coaches presented Coach Lewis with a framed Kirkwood jersey after the win.
“I knew it was coming but we were playing up and down so I didn’t know when [the 1,000th win] would happen. I was relieved when we made it there and glad we got to that point,” said Coach Lewis.
He also said that he is very fortunate to have really great assistant coaches and a great group of athletes to work with.
Coach Lewis has been the head baseball coach for the Eagles for 29 seasons. The Kirkwood Athletics staff estimated that he has spent six years of his life with recruiting, practice, field preparation, travel, and games for Kirkwood.
College officials compiled the following statistics about Coach Lewis’s tenure:
• 29 Seasons as the Head Coach of the Eagles Baseball team
* Six-Time Iowa Junior College Coach of the Year
• Four JUCO World Series appearances
• Four-Time District Coach of the Year
• 29 Years as a member of the Kirkwood faculty (Industrial Technologies)
• Numerous former players now coaching baseball
• Four former players currently playing professional baseball
• An estimated 700 players coached
Coach Lewis plans to continue coaching baseball for the Eagles.
“On behalf of the Kirkwood athletics department, we want to congratulate Coach Lewis on all of his accomplishments and his 29 years as a coach. We look forward to future successes with him as head coach,” said Kirkwood’s athletic director, Doug Wagemester.
The celebrating will continue for Coach Lewis when Kirkwood Athletics hosts a reception to mark his 1,000-win mark. Fans and colleagues are invited to attend the event Wednesday, May 7, 1 to 2 p.m. in the Iowa Hall West Dining Room on the main Kirkwood campus.
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[Some information on this story provided by the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. For more information on the ICCAC, you may contact Angela Morel; assistant@iccac.org / 515.451.6869 ]