ATLANTA- For its success in summer collegiate leagues around the country in 2011, Georgia State baseball has been named the nation's Most Valuable Program by the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball.
Head coach Greg Frady was recognized over the weekend at the annual American Baseball Coaches Association Convention in Anaheim, Calif., where he spoke to a gathering of Division I, II and III head coaches.
The award is intended to recognize one college or university coach each year that has had the greatest impact on advancing the goals and objectives of the NACSB.
GSU produced 19 players for the NACSB, four were elected to All-Star teams and three played in championships. The Panthers were represented in the prestigious Cape Cod League, the Atlanta-based Sunbelt League, the Valley League and the Coastal Plain League.
This year, a total of 676 colleges and universities were considered for the award. To be considered, at least one student athlete from the coach's college must sign a Letter of Commitment to an NACSB league and participate in the league for that year. Points are awarded to the school based on players' participation as well as performance.
The Panthers narrowly defeated local rivals Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State, who were also finalists, for the award.
"This honor makes us extremely proud as an organization," said Frady. "The summer league experience for our players is simply priceless in their development as both a player and a person. They return to our campus as more mature student-athletes for our program. We're thrilled about this recognition for program and the hard work of our entire staff."
Frady is 169-121-1 in his five seasons as head coach at GSU, compiling the highest winning percentage of any coach in school history. The Panthers went 37-21 last season in qualifying for their third straight CAA Tournament and fourth in Frady's five seasons.
The Panthers begin the 2012 season with a four-game home series against Western Illinois, beginning Feb. 17 at the GSU Baseball Complex. Spring practice begins Tuesday, Jan. 10.
The NACSB is an alliance of nine nationally recognized college summer baseball leagues that aims to promote communication, marketing, and improve communication between member leagues and college coaches. The NACSB follows all NCAA guidelines and regulations and includes the most prestigious summer college leagues in the country. For more information, go to nacsb.org.
