Brad Babcock

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Born(1939-03-10)March 10, 1939
Virginia, U.S.
DiedJune 2, 2020(2020-06-02) (aged 81)
Appomattox, Virginia, U.S.
1960–1963Lynchburg
PositionShortstop
Brad Babcock
Biographical details
Born(1939-03-10)March 10, 1939
Virginia, U.S.
DiedJune 2, 2020(2020-06-02) (aged 81)
Appomattox, Virginia, U.S.
Playing career
1960–1963Lynchburg
PositionShortstop
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1971–1989James Madison
Head coaching record
Overall555–251–4
TournamentsNCAA D1: 10–13
CAA: 6–8

Bradley Littleton Babcock (March 10, 1939 – June 2, 2020) was an American college baseball coach, the head coach of James Madison (JMU) from 1971 to 1989.[1] Under him, the Dukes appeared in five NCAA tournaments (four in Division I) and the 1983 College World Series. His overall record in 19 seasons was 555–251–4, including a home record of 339–71–1.[2][3]

After graduating from Lynchburg College in 1963, Babcock worked as a high school baseball coach in Colorado, New Hampshire, and Vermont.[4]

James Madison started its baseball program in 1970, shortly after it became co-educational. Babcock took over in 1971, its second season. It started out as an NCAA Division II program but joined Division I for the 1977 season.[2]

In addition to being JMU's baseball coach, Babcock held several other positions in the early 1970s. At the university, he was an assistant football coach, junior varsity basketball coach, physical education instructor, and intramural director. He also served as the head coach of the Valley League's Harrisonburg Turks for several summers.[4][5][6]

In 1983, the Dukes became the first Virginia school to make the College World Series (CWS). The Dukes opened the season with an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals. After losing in the ECAC Tournament, many players returned home, thinking the season was over, but the team was given an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. JMU went 4–0 in the East Regional to reach the CWS, where it lost games to Texas and Stanford in Omaha.[7][8][9][10]

Head coaching record

Below is a table of Babcock's yearly records as a collegiate head baseball coach.[11][12]

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Madison Dukes (Independent) (1971–1976)
1971 Madison 12–5
1972 Madison 11–14
1973 Madison 12–9
1974 Madison 23–11
1975 Madison 23–7
1976 Madison 32–10NCAA Regional
James Madison (Eastern Collegiate Athletic ConferenceDivision I) (1977–1985)
1977 Madison 32–9
1978 James Madison 30–13ECAC Tournament
1979 James Madison 31–13ECAC Tournament
1980 James Madison 32–13NCAA Regional
1981 James Madison 40–18–1NCAA Regional
1982 James Madison 40–15–1ECAC Tournament
1983 James Madison 37–13College World Series
1984 James Madison 38–13ECAC Tournament
1985 James Madison 24–21
James Madison (Colonial Athletic Association) (1986–1989)
1986 James Madison 35–1413–52ndCAA Tournament
1987 James Madison 28–216–95thCAA Tournament[a]
1988 James Madison 43–11–213–11stNCAA Regional
1989 James Madison 32–217–63rdCAA Tournament
James Madison: 555–251–439–21
Total:555–251–4

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Administrative career

After stepping down from the baseball coach position following the 1989 season, Babcock worked in JMU's athletic department. He was added to the department's Hall of Fame in 1998. He retired as executive association athletic director in 2003.[5][13][14][15]

Personal

Notes

References

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