Texas Tech University Athletics
Larry Hays Named College Baseball HOF Inductee
March 04, 2015 | Baseball
Hays is one of eight individuals that make up the College Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2015.
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech coaching legend Larry Hays is one of eight individuals that make up the 2015 National College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class, the organization announced today.
Hays, head coach of the Red Raiders from 1987-2008, led Tech to 813 wins, four conference championships, nine NCAA Tournament appearances and to 11 40-win seasons. He becomes the first individual from Texas Tech to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
This year's class, which will be inducted as a part of the annual celebration of college baseball on June 28-29 in Lubbock, also includes Joe Arnold (Miami-Dade/Arizona State, 1965-67 - Pitcher), Lance Berkman (Rice, 1995-97 - First Baseman/Outfielder), Al Holland (North Carolina A&T, 1972-75 - Pitcher), Bill Holowaty (Eastern Connecticut State, 1969-2013 - Coach), Mike Kelly (Arizona State, 1989-91 - Outfielder), Rick Reichardt (Wisconsin, 1963-64 - Outfielder) and Frank Viola (St. John's, 1979-81 - Pitcher).
Hays spent the first 16 years of his career at Lubbock Christian where he tallied a 695-381 record from 1971-86 while guiding the Chaparrals to the 1983 NAIA National Championship. He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1991, and in 2001 he became the first collegiate baseball coach to be inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame.
Hays completed his college baseball coaching career with over 1,500 wins - making him one of only eight coaches in the history of college baseball at any level to accomplish that feat.
He received nine coach of the year awards during his career, including the 1997 Big 12 Coach of the Year honor. Hays led Tech to a 51-14 record in 1995 - marking a school record for wins in a single-season.
The Red Raiders had 96 Major League Baseball Draft selections under Hays' guidance, including 22 players that made their MLB debuts.
Hays coached 36 All-Southwest Conference selections, 18 All-Big 12 first team picks, 14 consensus All-Americans and six USA Baseball National Collegiate Team members.
He led Tech to four consecutive seasons with at least 18 wins in Big 12 play (1998-2001) - marking one of only three times in league history for a program (Texas - 5, 2000-04; Baylor - 4, 1997-2000).
Hays is the second longest tenured head coach (22 years) in Texas Tech University history (Marsha Sharp, women's basketball - 24 years).
Hays had his #27 jersey number retired at Tech on March 23, 2009.
