Florida Atlantic University Athletics
FAU Baseball to Induct Second Hall of Fame Class
12/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Dec. 3, 2007
BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic University baseball program will induct five new members into its Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be a part of FAU's First Pitch Banquet and Alumni Weekend that is scheduled for Thursday, February 21, 2008. This year's class follows last year's eight-member charter class, and includes two players who played under Baseball Head Coach Kevin Cooney, and three players who played for FAU's first head coach, Steve Traylor, who is a member of both the FAU Athletics and FAU Baseball Halls of Fame. The five honorees will join Traylor, Todd Moser, Keith Foley, Nick Presto, Jack Penrod, Mike Ryan, Scott Hay and Warren "Doc" Schneider in the Hall of Fame.
This year's honorees include Pat Murphy, who was a two-year member of the FAU baseball team (1981-82) and spent three years as a coach. He is currently in his 14th season as the head baseball coach at Arizona State University, where he has posted a 529-257-1 record. Murphy has guided the Sun Devils to eight straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the College World Series. "Pat was the heart and soul of the program," said Traylor.
Jorge Vega ('81-'83) and Doug Gonring ('84-'85) are two other members of this year's class who played for Traylor. Vega's 12 wins in 1982 are tied for third all-time victories in a season. Gonring's 75 RBI during the 1985 campaign is still the highest ever in a season, matched only by Paul Stryhas during the 1999 season. "Jorge was our Greg Maddox, and Doug was one of the program's greatest run producers," said Traylor. Two of Cooney's players will also be honored, as Kevin Connacher ('94-'97) and Tommy Murphy ('98-'00) were also selected for induction. Connacher is first all-time in career hits (289) and career runs (210), and is second all-time with 49 career doubles. "Kevin burst on the scene as a Freshman All-American and had a great four year career. His consecutive games with a hit record (24) still stands after 13 years," said Cooney.
Tommy Murphy became the fourth former FAU athlete to play in the Major Leagues in 2006, hitting .229, while appearing in 48 games for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Murphy collected seven hits in 20 games for the Angels last season. "Tommy was probably the best pure athlete we had ever signed at that time. He could do things on the field that seemed impossible," said Cooney.
The banquet will precede the 2008 season opener against the University of North Carolina on Friday, February 22. Alumni will participate in a Home Run Derby on Saturday, February 23, followed by a pre-game barbeque at the field.
