John Stanford
Inducted: 1987
Sports: Baseball
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John Stanford came to MT in the 1950s after serving with the Air Force where he had gained acclaim as a softball and baseball pitcher. He made his mark on MT baseball by becoming an All-OVC selection.
After graduation, he went pro, pitching two seasons for the Washington Senators before serving as baseball coach for Shelbyville Central and Motlow Community College in Middle Tennessee. In 1974, he returned to his alma mater to cultivate one of the most respected diamond programs in college baseball. His Blue Raider record of 402-272-4, is second only to his hand-picked successor, Steve Peterson. His teams won OVC titles four times and the league's Southern Division crown five times. Blue Raider squads under Stanford made repeated trips to the NCAA Tournament and he took multiple coach-of-the-year honors.
As athletic director, he worked with donors to improve baseball facilities and scholarships, upgraded the golf program and advocated the formation of the women's softball program and field.
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