Baseball
Concordia University Texas Honors Legendary Athletes and Coaches
2024-11-11
Concordia University Texas is set to induct four new members into its prestigious Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing the outstanding achievements and contributions of former student-athletes, coaches, and teams. This prestigious honor celebrates the enduring legacy of excellence within the Concordia Texas athletics program.

Celebrating the Pinnacle of Concordia Texas Athletics

Shamika Singleton: A Defensive Dynamo on the Basketball Court

Shamika Singleton's basketball career at Concordia University Texas was marked by her dominant presence on both ends of the court. As a standout player, she etched her name into the program's history books with an impressive array of accomplishments. Singleton's defensive prowess is evident in her ranking fifth all-time with an average of 8.0 rebounds per game and her tie for sixth all-time with 2.2 steals per game. Her shot-blocking ability is further showcased by her tie for seventh all-time in blocks, with an average of 0.6 per game.Offensively, Singleton's efficiency and scoring ability were equally impressive. She sits fourth all-time in field goal percentage at 49.0%, demonstrating her consistent scoring touch. Singleton's ability to dominate the glass is further highlighted by her tie for third all-time with 14 career double-doubles and her ranking seventh in rebounds per game for a single season with 9.5 during the 2010-11 campaign. Her 9 double-doubles that same season also placed her third in school history.Singleton's accolades speak volumes about her impact on the program. In the 2010-11 season, she was recognized as the ASC West Division Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, earning a spot on the West Division First Team. The following year, she was honored as the Concordia Texas Player of the Year, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest players in the program's history.

The 2011 Baseball Team: Trailblazers in the Tommy Boggs Era

The 2011 Concordia Texas baseball team etched its name in the program's history books as the first team to make the NCAA tournament during the Tommy Boggs era. Led by a talented roster and a coaching staff that guided them to new heights, the Tornados produced a remarkable 32-17 (15-6 ASC) record and entered the ASC tournament as the West Division's second seed.Despite dropping the first game of the tournament, the Tornados rallied with five straight wins to claim the ASC title. Tournament MVP Justin Beasley led the charge, with teammates Robert Moore, Colton Gommert, Collin Janssen, Colin Butschek, and Ryan Ullman also earning spots on the All-Tournament Team.In their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002, the Tornados entered the tournament as the sixth seed and claimed a pair of wins, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level. The 2011 team featured an impressive 11 All-Conference selections, with Collin Janssen named the ASC West Player of the Year and Colin Butschek earning the ASC West Pitcher of the Year award. The team's success was further recognized as they finished the season ranked 24th in the final D3baseball.com/NCBWA National Poll.

Tommy Boggs: The Winningest Coach in Concordia Texas Baseball History

Coach Tommy Boggs' tenure at Concordia University Texas spanned 13 seasons, during which he led the Concordia Tornados to unprecedented success. Boggs' impact on the program is undeniable, as he amassed a remarkable 339 victories, the most in the team's history.Under Boggs' leadership, the Tornados extended their postseason play five times, earning NCAA regional berths. The team's crowning achievements include one NCAA Super Regional appearance, three American Southwest Conference Tournament championships (2011, 2012, and 2013), and three ASC regular season titles in 2014, 2016, and 2018.In 2012, Boggs and his coaching staff were named the American Southwest Conference West Division Coaching Staff of the Year after leading CTX to its second straight ASC Tournament crown and NCAA West Regional appearance. The Tornados, who became the first program in school history to make consecutive Division III postseason appearances, were ranked as high as fourth nationally and recorded 37 wins, the most in the program's Division III era.Boggs' legacy as the winningest coach in Concordia Texas baseball history was cemented on March 24, 2018, when he surpassed his predecessor, Coach Mike Gardner, in total wins. On February 28, 2020, Boggs reached another milestone, earning his 300th coaching win as the Tornados defeated Louisiana College 2-1.

Drew French: From Concordia Pitcher to MLB Pitching Coach

Drew French's journey from a four-year pitcher at Concordia University Texas to becoming a pitching coach in Major League Baseball is a testament to his dedication and expertise. After earning his business degree at Concordia, French embarked on a coaching career, serving as an assistant at several collegiate programs, including the University of Alabama, Florida International University, and Lee University.In 2018, French made the leap to professional baseball, joining the Houston Astros organization as a pitching coordinator. In this role, he focused on minor league pitcher development, utilizing cutting-edge technology and analytics to help players refine their mechanics and optimize their performance. His success with the Astros' farm system led to his promotion within the organization, where he contributed to the team's broader pitching strategy.French's coaching prowess continued to shine as he joined the Atlanta Braves in 2021 as their bullpen coach. His time with the Braves was marked by success, including being part of the coaching staff during the team's 2021 World Series Championship run. French's ability to integrate analytics into traditional pitching strategies helped bolster the Braves' bullpen and earned him widespread recognition as a rising star in MLB coaching circles.Now in his first season with the Baltimore Orioles, French is focused on continuing his mission of developing one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Known for his collaborative nature and adaptability, French is seen as a key piece of the Orioles' future success, bringing a wealth of experience from various levels of professional and collegiate baseball.
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