From 1978 to 2003, Barry Myers served as Mercer University’s head baseball coach. On Thursday, August 10, Myers passed away at the age of 78.
“Barry was a pioneer in the sport of college baseball,” said current Mercer head coach Craig Gibson in a press release. “I thought he did more with less than anyone I ever knew at a time when there were few resources to succeed.”
Gibson was a player at Mercer in the 1980s while Myers was head coach.
Before he was promoted to head coach, Myers was an assistant at Mercer from 1974 to 1978.
During his years coaching at Mercer, Gibson racked up 663 wins. According to a press release from Mercer Athletics, Gibson won the most games as coach in the team’s 146 year history.
During Myers’ tenure at Mercer, the team won three Trans America Atlantic Conference titles. He was named Trans America Atlantic Conference coach of the year four times.
At one point, the team managed to have 9 consecutive seasons where they won 30+ games.
As well as ensuring great athletic success for his program, Myers made sure his players also performed in the classroom. In his 26 year span at Mercer, more than 95 percent of his players earned their college degrees.
13 of Myers’ players were selected in the MLB draft during his coaching career at Mercer, including Mike Mimbs who played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1995 to 1997.
“He put our program in position to have the success we have today. He’s a mentor and a friend, as well as a role model for young people. You can’t say enough about Barry,” Gibson said.
Myers was inducted into the Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.
Mercer community mourns passing of former head baseball coach of 26 years
