Community, entire region take pride in CCU baseball success
Coastal Carolina University baseball coach Gary Gilmore dreamed for years about taking a Chanticleers team to the College World Series in Omaha, and at one point made such a promise to CCU president Dave DeCenzo. In his dreams, however, Gilmore did not imagine playing for the championship.
Following the win Saturday that put Coastal in the championship series with the University of Arizona, Gilmore reflected on his 21years as the Coastal baseball coach. “It’s kind of like I’m in a dream. I’m scared to pinch myself, to be very honest with you. I mean, coming from where I started 21 years ago and where our university was ... and where we’re at today, to know that we’re on this stage is one of the most incredible things I could have ever imagined.”
Gilmore referred to playing for the CWS championship against one of the nation’s venerable college baseball programs. Arizona has won four national championships – the most recent in 2012 – and has played in the College World Series 17 times. This is Coastal’s first time in the College World Series, and to have advanced to the championship games is quite a feat. Gilmore was named national coach of the year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
The stage is huge, of course, for the baseball program and the university. Beyond that, it’s significant recognition for the entire region. The championship series with the Wildcats is best-of-three. Arizona took the first game and, depending on the outcome of Tuesday’s game, the series could be tied with Game 3 tonight. Or, Coastal is the runner-up in the 2016 NCAA College World Series. Either alternative means an outstanding season for the Chants baseball team.
The entire region should be mighty proud of the young men, who obviously understand the community significance of reaching the College World Series – and advancing to the championship level. Not since 1956 has a team (Minnesota) won the CWS in its first appearance.
Coastal seniors Connor Owings and Zach Remillard talked about the experience being “all about the community and the Coastal family,” as third baseman Remillard put it. Right fielder Owings said, “it’s just a pleasure to play for the university and the community [the Conway area] because it’s such a great town and those people just care about that university and us as people so much – not just as players, but as people.”
Since the first of May, the Chants won 22 of 25 games, including the NCAA regional tournament at N.C. State, the super regional at Louisiana State University and four wins in Omaha. That’s impressive baseball, and Arizona coach Jay Johnson said, “It’s really impressive what they did to get to the championship series, beating a bunch of big-name programs.”
Former Coastal players and fans of all backgrounds have supported the Chants in Omaha. Mike Costanzo, Big South Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, was among about 100 former players. “I’m so happy for Gilley and the coaching staff,” Costanzo told Ryan Young of The Sun News in Omaha. It’s reconnected a lot of guys, old teammates and is bringing everybody together. It’s a great thing for the program.”
Costanzo has it right in describing the Chants’ appearance in Omaha as “the biggest athletic event to come into Coastal Carolina history.” And the significance goes far beyond sports.
This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 3:29 PM with the headline "Community, entire region take pride in CCU baseball success."