STORRS,
CT (May 20) -- The University of Connecticut will
retire the numbers of former Husky baseball coaches J.O. Christian,
Larry Panciera and Andy Baylock between games on Saturday's BIG EAST
doubleheader between the Huskies and West Virginia. The twin-bill will
begin at 12:00 p.m. at J.O. Christian Field in Storrs.
The retiring of the jerseys was announced on February 21 at "A
Tribute to Andy Baylock." Baylock retired as UConn’s baseball coach in
2003, but remains at the school as the Director of Alumni and
Community Relations for the UConn football program.
Christian (#17), UConn’s head coach from 1936-1961, took over a
baseball program that had registered a record of 151-221-6 (.407) in
its previous 38 years of existence and molded UConn into a winner,
compiling a record of 254-170-7 (.597). Christian’s teams captured
nine of 14 Yankee Conference titles and advanced to the NCAA College
World Series in 1957 and 1959. Christian, who also served as UConn’s
athletic director from 1950-1966, passed away on October 21, 1979 at
the age of 81.
Panciera (#35) was in charge of the Husky baseball program from
1962-1979 and owns the highest winning percentage (.650) of any coach
in UConn baseball history. Panciera’s teams compiled a record of
297-160-5 and made three appearances in the NCAA College World Series.
Panciera passed away on September 8, 1998 at the age of 76.
Baylock (#28), the winningest coach in Husky baseball history, led
his teams to a 556-492-8 record in his 24 seasons as head coach.
Baylock oversaw the Husky baseball program’s transition into the BIG
EAST Conference and captured BIG EAST Tournament crowns in 1990 and
1994. Baylock served as an assistant to Panciera for 15 years before
taking the helm in 1980.
