Eastern Michigan Athletics
Oestrike Inducted to Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame
8/21/2019 3:10:00 PM | Baseball
Friends and family of the late EMU baseball coach celebrated in Lansing
Photo Gallery
Audio Interviews: Oestike Sisters. Eric_Roof. Jesse Goldberg-Strassler.
Video Link
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame inducted longtime Eastern Michigan University Head Baseball Coach Ron Oestrike, along with Detroit Tigers slugger Willie Horton Saturday, Aug.17, in an in-game ceremony during the Lansing Lugnuts/Dayton Dragons game at Cooley Law School Stadium.
A night characterized by a picturesque sunset, numerous stories (many filled with laughs) about the late coach, and the game he loved, more than 30 members of the Oestrike and Horton families gathered to take part in the induction ceremony, which included video tributes and a plaque unveiling for each inductee.
Among the attendees were the two daughters of Oestrike, Nancy and Beth, both Ypsilanti residents, who were honored to officially accept the honor on behalf of their father. "It was a wonderful honor to be recognized by the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame Committee, and it makes us feel very proud of our dad for all that he accomplished in his lifetime," said Nancy, adding that she would describe her father as a "teacher," above all else.
A 1954 Eastern Michigan graduate, Oestrike was the University's head baseball coach for 23 years (1965-87), directing the baseball program to unprecedented heights and leading the team to a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship in 1970, a runner-up spot in the 1976 NCAA College World Series, a fifth-place finish in the 1975 NCAA College World Series, four MAC championships, and five NCAA Regional appearances on the way to a 657-508-8 overall record.
Oestrike began his college career as a two-sport standout at EMU, lettering in both baseball and football. After graduating in 1954, Oestrike went on earn a master's degree from the University of Michigan, serve a two-year tour with the U.S. Army, and become a high school football coach at Trenton High School. Oestrike returned to Eastern Michigan in 1963 and spent the next 23 years developing the Eagles baseball program into one of the finest in the nation.
During his tenure, Oestrike coached six all-americans and 22 All-MAC First Team members. The coaching legend was also tabbed as NCAA Regional Coach of the Year ('75, '76, '78, '81) and MAC Coach of the Year ('75, '76, '78, '82) four times each throughout his career. He developed numerous future Major League Baseball players including: Bryan Clutterbuck, Glenn Gulliver, Chris Hoiles, John Martin, Bob Owchinko, Ron Rightnowar, Pat Sheridan, Bob Welch, and Mickey Weston, along with long-time manager Terry Collins.
His 1970 team produced a record of 41-11 en route to a NAIA National Championship. As the program made the transition from NAIA to the NCAA, it wasted no time getting to the upper echelon of the NCAA.
In 1975, Eastern Michigan posted a 37-20-1 mark to capture a MAC championship before advancing to the College World Series for the first time in school history. One year later, Eastern Michigan built off the success to make a return trip Omaha. In arguably Eastern Michigan's all-time best season, the team went 46-16 to collect another conference championship and advance to the finals of the College World Series, finishing runner-up to national champion Arizona.
Oestrike was singled out as the NCAA National Coach of the Year in 1976 by The Sporting News and went on to become the president of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) in 1985. He was inducted into the E-Club Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979, the ABCA Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame in 2017.
Known as a fierce competitor on the field, Oestrike's family wants EMU fans to also celebrate the man he was away from the game. "As tough as he was on the baseball field, many people probably don't know that he had a gentle and quite spirit," remarked daughter Beth. "He was a very humble person, and he was very generous and loyal."
As far as the impact of the honor on the EMU baseball program today, current Head Coach Eric Roof says that it is extremely important. "It speaks a lot about the history of our program and what he was able to do in his time at Eastern Michigan," said Roof, adding that "As a head coach, it's your job to let the guys know who came before them."
To hear full audio interviews with Nancy Oestrike, Beth McClure (Oestrike), Eric Roof, and Jesse Goldberg-Strassler of the Lansing Lugnuts and Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame, click on the attached links. As always, keep up-to-date on all things EMU Athletics by visiting EMUEagles.com
Audio Interviews: Oestike Sisters. Eric_Roof. Jesse Goldberg-Strassler.
Video Link
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame inducted longtime Eastern Michigan University Head Baseball Coach Ron Oestrike, along with Detroit Tigers slugger Willie Horton Saturday, Aug.17, in an in-game ceremony during the Lansing Lugnuts/Dayton Dragons game at Cooley Law School Stadium.
A night characterized by a picturesque sunset, numerous stories (many filled with laughs) about the late coach, and the game he loved, more than 30 members of the Oestrike and Horton families gathered to take part in the induction ceremony, which included video tributes and a plaque unveiling for each inductee.
Among the attendees were the two daughters of Oestrike, Nancy and Beth, both Ypsilanti residents, who were honored to officially accept the honor on behalf of their father. "It was a wonderful honor to be recognized by the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame Committee, and it makes us feel very proud of our dad for all that he accomplished in his lifetime," said Nancy, adding that she would describe her father as a "teacher," above all else.
A 1954 Eastern Michigan graduate, Oestrike was the University's head baseball coach for 23 years (1965-87), directing the baseball program to unprecedented heights and leading the team to a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship in 1970, a runner-up spot in the 1976 NCAA College World Series, a fifth-place finish in the 1975 NCAA College World Series, four MAC championships, and five NCAA Regional appearances on the way to a 657-508-8 overall record.
Oestrike began his college career as a two-sport standout at EMU, lettering in both baseball and football. After graduating in 1954, Oestrike went on earn a master's degree from the University of Michigan, serve a two-year tour with the U.S. Army, and become a high school football coach at Trenton High School. Oestrike returned to Eastern Michigan in 1963 and spent the next 23 years developing the Eagles baseball program into one of the finest in the nation.
During his tenure, Oestrike coached six all-americans and 22 All-MAC First Team members. The coaching legend was also tabbed as NCAA Regional Coach of the Year ('75, '76, '78, '81) and MAC Coach of the Year ('75, '76, '78, '82) four times each throughout his career. He developed numerous future Major League Baseball players including: Bryan Clutterbuck, Glenn Gulliver, Chris Hoiles, John Martin, Bob Owchinko, Ron Rightnowar, Pat Sheridan, Bob Welch, and Mickey Weston, along with long-time manager Terry Collins.
His 1970 team produced a record of 41-11 en route to a NAIA National Championship. As the program made the transition from NAIA to the NCAA, it wasted no time getting to the upper echelon of the NCAA.
In 1975, Eastern Michigan posted a 37-20-1 mark to capture a MAC championship before advancing to the College World Series for the first time in school history. One year later, Eastern Michigan built off the success to make a return trip Omaha. In arguably Eastern Michigan's all-time best season, the team went 46-16 to collect another conference championship and advance to the finals of the College World Series, finishing runner-up to national champion Arizona.
Oestrike was singled out as the NCAA National Coach of the Year in 1976 by The Sporting News and went on to become the president of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) in 1985. He was inducted into the E-Club Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979, the ABCA Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame in 2017.
Known as a fierce competitor on the field, Oestrike's family wants EMU fans to also celebrate the man he was away from the game. "As tough as he was on the baseball field, many people probably don't know that he had a gentle and quite spirit," remarked daughter Beth. "He was a very humble person, and he was very generous and loyal."
As far as the impact of the honor on the EMU baseball program today, current Head Coach Eric Roof says that it is extremely important. "It speaks a lot about the history of our program and what he was able to do in his time at Eastern Michigan," said Roof, adding that "As a head coach, it's your job to let the guys know who came before them."
To hear full audio interviews with Nancy Oestrike, Beth McClure (Oestrike), Eric Roof, and Jesse Goldberg-Strassler of the Lansing Lugnuts and Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame, click on the attached links. As always, keep up-to-date on all things EMU Athletics by visiting EMUEagles.com
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Oestrike Stadium Upgrades Reveal
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