We present them here for purely educational purposes. Ferriss compiled a career record of 6530, and shares the MLB record for consecutive home wins to start a season (13, in 1946). Mr. and Mrs. Noel Funchess 2023 www.thestarpress.com. Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Smith, Jr. Mike Kinnisons No. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. Published: Apr. Mr. Judson Thigpen He pitched twenty-two scoreless innings to begin his career. Ferriss and Coach Falk were looking forward to another spring and summer of Army ball, but Ferriss suffered a recurrence of asthma, a problem that had bothered him off and on since youth. City of Victoria. Tredge LLC Harvey received the Lawrence L. Stewart Service Award in April, 2015 for his support of Delta State athletics. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Farris Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Drake, Jr. Tune in to Coach Batts and slugger Hayden White as they show us a few things on the diamond. Senior Associate Athletic Director, Rick Cleveland Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Easley Schwab Charitable Fund On the money side of things, the Delta State University womens cross country program brought home $97,069 in revenue and paid out $61,540 in total expenses. Mrs. Henri Kennard I think youve got to kind of have that mix.". I learned how to work on the field. The 10-player mens tennis team at Delta State University is kept in shape by one head coach and 2 assistant coaches. Ferriss holds several major league records that include the most consecutive home wins of 13 in 1946. He wound up in the U. S. Army Air Corps, stationed at Randolph Field in Texas as a physical training instructor. He died on November 24, 2016, in Cleveland.[14][15]. Mrs. Kathryn Arant He pitched still another shutout in the 1946 World Series. This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and excellent fringe benefits. To stay up to date on the Alumni Associations activities, follow these social media sites: Facebook (Statesmen Graduates), Twitter (@DSU_Alumni), Tumblr (http://www.dsualumni.tumblr.com), LinkedIn (DSU alumni), Instagram (dsualumni) and You Tube (dsualumni1). Gregory Bart MUNCIE, Ind. Harvey has also been recognized as the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year in 2005 and was elected to both the Student and Alumni Hall of Fames at DSU. The "Boo" Ferriss Baseball Museum located at the Robert L. Crawford Center at Delta State University was named after him. Dr. and Mrs. David M. Ferriss The head coaching job at Delta High School is one that Devin Wilburn has had circled in his mind. Tournaments. I asked my coach to put in a word for me at Delta State. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, U.S. Department of Educations Equity in Athletics Data Analysis (EADA). Ferriss became the first baseball player to receive a full scholarship to Mississippi State. Ferriss reported for spring training with the Red Sox Class AA Louisville team in 1945, expecting to pitch at least another season of minor league ball before getting to the major leagues. Dr. and Mrs. Bradley B. Teague Mrs. Anita Bologna I wasnt ready to go home.. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Supreme x Rawlings SS18 Baseball Softball Catcher's Mask Red Box Logo at the best online prices at eBay! Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. Are you looking to get noticed by college coaches? Delta State football head coach Todd Cooley has received a four-year contract extension through the 2024 season, the university announced. Morris This is a bit of a downer since it means that the program lost money, $-137,673 to be exact. Mr. Robert and Ms. Karen Naron Delta Regional Foundation 5151 He was that rare pitcher with such command of all his pitches, he would throw any pitch at any time and throw it for a strike. Childrens Dental Clinic Mr. Brad Lightsey On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Under his direction, 20 Statesmen players earned All-American honors and 23 continued their baseball careers on the professional level. Mr. and Mrs. Carl L. Grubb Mr. Sammy Dantone, Jr. There, at age 20, he led Greensboro of the Class B Piedmont League to the league championship. David Meadow Ferriss (December 5, 1921 November 24, 2016) was an American Major League Baseball player who pitched for the Boston Red Sox from 1945 through 1950. Metkovich struck out. Bio. One month after leading Delta State baseball to his 8th Gulf South Conference Championship, head coach Mike Kinnison is named athletic director. Mr. Charles Jacobs Still, Kinnison figured that when he went back to school, he would be going back to be a manager. Mr. David Ring In the fall of 2003, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced that it would be sponsoring a Mississippi Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year and the trophy would be the name and likeness of Dave Boo Ferriss. . George Metkovich, Clevelands lead-off hitter, was at the plate and the count was full at three balls and two strikes. Harvey is now in private business after a very successful stint as a senior executive with leading global hotel companies including Hilton Hotels Corporation. Elder Mr. and Mrs. Billy F. Boswell Making matters worse, Kinnison had spent the previous summer away from baseball. She was elected to and served as an officer of Kappa Delta Pi, an Education Honor Society and was chosen by the faculty as a Faculty Scholar and included in Whos Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Mr. and Mrs. John M. Alexander Unlike most pitchers, who are usually poor hitters, Ferriss hit like a natural hitter. You gain access to:- profiles and social posts The Statesmen won 40 or more games 15 times in his tenure, reached the NCAA Division II World Series six. Mr. and Mrs. David Abney, 2015 Delta State University | All Rights Reserved Barry Lyons, who played for Ferriss from 1979 to 1982 before going on to play in the major leagues for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels, wept openly that championship day. I wont sugar-coat it, Kinnison says. Since he was a baseball player at Wapahani, Wilburn always respected Delta's program. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley J. Barbour This is great since many college sports programs lose money. Mrs. LuLu Maness Mr. Chester Norris "You grow up and you have that passion and, you know, its tough when you go through tough years, you kind of lose that passion a little bit. Kinnisons teams routinely win 50 games. Mr. and Mrs. Barney Chiz Mr. and Mrs. Duke Morgan Baseball vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff February 26, 2023 12 p.m. Whenever it came time to rake the infield dirt, Ferriss would call it scratching as in, Mike go out there and scratch around first base where its wet.. The head coach and 2 assistant coaches train and lead the 33 players of the Delta State University mens soccer team. "Its just kind of one of those things where youre trying to find the right fit and the right opportunity and Deltas a really good school, a really good school system and its got a baseball program that a lot of people care about it," Wilburn said. Kinnison, a former DSU All American, won 75.6 percent of his games as the schools head coach. This category is for people who have coached college baseball at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. That same season, Ferriss won twenty-five games and lost only six, pitching twenty-six complete games and six shutouts. - the ability to be paid for posting Twenty former players received Academic All-American honors and forty former players are now coaching in the high school and college ranks. Mr. and Mrs. Steve Davis vs. Itawamba CC. He told us you can never say thank-you too much., Whether he knew it or not, Kinnison was making an impression on Ferriss, too. "Thats obviously not super realistic, but for me its laying the foundation for what we want. Mr. William Nettles You want to know about Boo Ferriss? But baseball was his passion, and major-league scouts noticed his prodigious skills early on. Baseball was what I loved, Kinnison said. Planters Bank & Trust Company (Cleveland) Mrs. Eloise Walker Mr. Danny Tackett Mr. Bill Marchant After Ferriss's MLB playing career was over, he returned to the Mississippi Delta for two stints as the head baseball coach at Delta State University where he retired as the school's all-time leader in wins with 639. He won his first eight major-league starts, and beat every other American League club in the process. All rights reserved. In his twenty-six seasons at Delta State, his teams won 639 games and lost only 387 and often defeated much larger schools such as Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Southern Mississippi. Do you have a sports website? The work paid off. Mr. Russell Stewart There was no need. Mr. Casey Myrick But his shoulder was never the same. The academic progress rate (APR) of each team was made available by the NCAA. Well, I didnt have any intention of doing that. Dr. and Mrs. Bryce Griffis Rev. The 13-player womens basketball team at Delta State University is kept in shape by one head coach and 2 assistant coaches. Mr. Walter Barrett, Jr. At age 25, ruggedly handsome Dave Boo Ferriss was a strapping, raw-boned powerhouse, standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 208 pounds. I had never in my life hit off a pitching machine. Wilburn returned to Indiana in 2020 where he, once again, served as an assistant on Taylor's staff. Delta State baseball coach Dave "Boo" Ferris (33) with pitcher Joe Hubal (19) and catcher Steve Tomaszewski (29) during game in the mid-1970s. Ferriss became Delta States athletic director and baseball coach in 1959. Mr. Fred Rossi Out of those losses, however, 11 of them came by four runs or less, including a two-run loss to eventual sectional champion Hamilton Heights in the postseason. Our Lady of Victories Church In terms of financials, the Delta State University womens softball program paid out $242,999 in expenses and made $225,392 in total revenue. Those who've followed baseball in East Central Indiana are probably already familiar with Wilburn's name. Softball vs Delta State: Streaming Video - Softball vs Delta State (1:00 PM) Streaming Stats - Softball vs Delta State (1:00 PM) 1:00 pm: Baseball: Baseball vs Delta State: Streaming Video - Baseball vs Delta State (1:00 pm) Streaming Stats - Baseball vs Delta State (1:00 pm) 2:15 pm: Women's Basketball: Women's Basketball vs #13/17 Union (2 seed) You cant take much batting practice in the Gulf of Mexico. Chris Burgess 83 of Ridgeland, and Barry Lyons 84 of Ocean Springs, with former Statesmen baseball coach Boo Ferriss at The Warehouse in downtown Cleveland. His former Red Sox teammates, guys like baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr, marvel at how Ferriss dealt with his misfortune. Mr. Mike Moore After retiring from full time teaching, her love for children and education led her to a part time position at Capleville Methodist Church teaching preschool and working with three year olds. His Delta State teams won 981 games, while losing only 313 for a 75.6 win percentage. Far more important to Ferriss today than the victories and championships his Delta State teams achieved, are the relationships he maintains with his former players, including current Delta State coach Mike Kinnison. From there, Wilburn played three combined seasons over two stints at Ball State University. Grisham, a Mississippi native, began his career path "thanks to coach Ferriss" after Ferriss had cut Grisham from his team in the fall of 1978. 14U . He would further amaze his teammates and opposition alike by pitching batting practice left-handed on his off days. After graduating college, Cates coached for Kirby High School. They receive, on average, about $3,743 in sports-related student aid to attend Delta State University. Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Fioranelli If it ever became available, Wilburn knew it'd be a job he wanted to pursue.. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? He won a national championship in 2004 and six NCAA Regional titles as head coach. Based on data from National Weather Service and OpenWeather. Pages in category "Delta State Statesmen baseball coaches" The following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total. 11U. In fact, he played for former major-leaguer and University of Texas Coach Bibb Falk in a league that was probably more talented than the Piedmont League. Mr. Mickey Thompson Boston and Cleveland were scoreless with the hometown Indians batting in the bottom of the seventh inning. That was in 1973 and I remember thinking even then that Coach Ferriss would be a great person to play for.. The Delta State University women's basketball program has announced the hiring of Tracy Stewart-Lange as its new head coach . Mr. David Cuicchi Delta State University Baseball Athletic Scholarships Powered by 1003 W Sunflower Rd Cleveland, MS 38733 (662) 846-3000 http://www.deltastate.edu/ Year Founded: 1924 Religious Affiliation: None College Type: Public , Suburban Enrollment: 3750 (full time undergrad) Tuition In State: $7,671 Tuition Out of State: $7,671 Division: NCAA II Conference: Ferriss spent 46 years in baseball at the collegiate and professional levels and was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988. On Saturday, the two Alabama fans came down from the stands and each gave Ferriss a five-dollar bill. William Worsham Today, coach Ferriss continues to champion the cause of collegiate baseball across Mississippi and the U.S. The 9 players of the Delta State University mens golf team are led by a head coach and an assistant coach. You never had to tell him twice to do anything., Kinnison remembers that Ferriss never failed to thank him for all that work. Capt. Mr. and Mrs. C. Newt Willis Dr. Raanne Tindle Today, a pitcher would be rushed to the hospital for an MRI, a diagnostic tool that gives an image of a cross-section of an injured area. Byrd Service Station, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Howell Zidaco, G.P. In May 2004, the 82-year-old Ferriss watched from the stands as Kinnisons Delta State Statesmen finally won a national championship. Dr. and Mrs. Ellen C. Ewing Mr. Tony Pantini, Jr. Mr. Kenny Dill and Dr. Anna Looney Dill He was hospitalized for weeks at Randolph Field. We all know we are part of something very special and we all know who made it that way. He was inducted into the Mississippi Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981 and to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002. Farmers worked hard and played hard. His 1985 team was ranked No. His final major league appearance was on Opening Day of the 1950 season, when he pitched only one inning. Mrs. Carol Tatum Mr. and Mrs. Harry P Tarsi Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Lommel A group of Delta State University baseball alumni recently gathered for a weekend of fun reunion activities on campus. 3-2 (12) Colorado Mesa. Mr. Arthur Davis His teams won four Gulf South Conference championships, three National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, regional titles, and placed second once and third twice in the College World Series. Thats much better than a loss. He was broad of shoulder and slim of waist. Delta State University Men's Baseball $140,748 Net Profit/Loss 51 Team Members There are 51 players on the Delta State University men's baseball team, and they are led by one head coach and 3 assistant coaches. Mr. Rick Cleveland We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. His 1988 team was ranked 9th nationally in the Collegiate Baseball poll. They had two children, Dr. David Ferriss and Margaret Ferriss White, and two grandchildren. The story of Kinnisons journey from team manager, to All-American shortstop, to national championship coach was detailed in Mississippi Today columnist Rick Clevelands 2008 biography of Boo Ferriss: Boo: A Life in Baseball, Well-Lived. That chapter follows: The most succinct and telling way to describe Mike Kinnisons success as Delta States baseball coach is this: No coach at any level of NCAA baseball ever has won a higher percentage of his games. He got bigger, stronger. Like Hubal, Steve Tomaszewski is one of those who forged his own coaching career after his days at DSU. Dr. and Mrs. John J. Arnold Every Sports Reference Social Media Account. They settled in Yazoo County and William Douglas W.D. Then on a chilly, damp night in Cleveland, Ohio July 14, 1947 the world changed for Ferriss. The Statesmen played many of their games off campus and Ferriss coached without the benefit of an assistant. Your browser does not support JavaScript! The head coaching job at Delta High School is one that Devin Wilburn has had circled in his mind. " You just kind of fit the puzzle pieces together the best that you can and make the right decision for your family. Dr. and Mrs. Gary Bouse He chose State and became the first baseball player to receive a full scholarship to what was then Mississippi State College. Southern Indiana (49-13) Tracy Archuleta. The award is officially called the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, including the name of corporate cosponsor C Spire Wireless. Once, at games in Alabama, he pitched on Friday and played first base on Saturday. In Grisham's "The Kindest Cut," the author details his time at Delta State and how coach Ferriss handled the difficult task of cutting the would-be outfielder. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hughes Ferriss was hugely successful at State, both on the diamond and in the classroom as an honor student. Mr. and Mrs. Keith Fulcher He was head coach at Jackson State Community College for nine years, going 255-161 and taking his team to the 1996 Junior College World Series. The story of how Kinnison, the hard-working son of a Yazoo County farmer, found his way to Delta State and eventually came back to his alma mater is worth telling and re-telling. Mr. Chester Norris Mr. Emmett Morris Mr. Luke Wrenn, Jr. William Douglas Ferriss, Sr., Boos dad, was a cotton farmer. In his 23 . East Mississippi Community College. Kinnison was like a sponge. Man, hes smart. Dr. Clyde Muse In college baseball 40-win seasons are considered the gold standard. 15 jersey will be retired at Delta State Saturday. ALL-STAR UNIVERSAL BASEBALL CATCHER/COACH SKULL CAP - ONE SIZE FITS ALL. During his college years, Dave was credited with naming the "orange".[2]. I didnt have anything., It is no great stretch to say that such catastrophic misfortune as Ferriss suffered in 1947 would have ruined lesser men. Delta State won the national championship and the Red Sox won the World Series in the same year, Boo Ferriss said. Mr. and Mrs. Milton C. Plitt Ms. Ruby Anne Kincade Ferriss received the first full baseball scholarship to Mississippi State University,[5] where he pitched in 1941 and 1942 and joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkham Povall Games were played in Texas league ballparks, often before huge crowds. The head coaches of mens teams make about $83,101 on average, and the yearly average salary of womens team head coaches is $59,002. Col. Jack Steele III Deltaalso graduatedseven seniors, all of whom either started or played significant innings for the Eagles. Free shipping. Note: Ferris died on November 24, 2016, about two weeks shy of his 95th birthday. Mr. Freddie Chiles I just couldnt imagine life without baseball.. San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Avenue Stockton, California 95201 (209) 954-5151 The San Joaquin Delta College Athletics Department is not responsible for and does not endorse any website representing San Joaquin Delta College Athletics, that is not linked to the Official Website of San Joaquin Delta College Athletics web page. Robinson Electric Company The sports at Delta State University are led by 13 head coaches, 7 of whom coach male teams and 6 of whom spearhead womens teams. Mr. Dan King ", Clark added: "What excites me the most about coach Wilburn is his excitement and passion for wanting to build a program from bottom to top. Mr. Edward Broome [10] Ferriss returned to Delta State in mid-1968, and he again served as head coach from 1970 until retiring after the 1988 season. North northwest wind around 5 mph. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Janoush In 1988, he received the United States Baseball Federation Service Award for his contributions to the game. Save the date for this years Pig Pickin (Sept.24) and Homecoming (Oct. 15). 5:00 PM CDT. From 1993-1998, he had at least one All-American each year, one of only 3 junior colleges in the USA to do so. Mr. Angelo Balducci, Jr. Delta Reds II You know, its important for him, being local and having those connections and wanting to see our youth program do well and know that thats the future of his program, as well.". (Delta State University Athletics) CLEVELAND,. A legend in national collegiate baseball coaching circles, Ferriss was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988 in Atlanta, Ga. Ferriss compiled a 639-387-8 record, all at Delta State and his coaching record ranks him among all-time national coaching leaders at the NCAA Division II level. Mr. Hubert Rackley, III His major league record was 65-30. This category is for people who have coached college baseball at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi . Mr. and Mrs. William N. LaForge He was as thoughtful and polite as he could be, thanking me for my effort. 3:00 PM CDT. Nancy Harvey, while at DSU, was a member and officer of Delta Delta Delta sorority and served on the Panhellenic Board. Mr. William Crenshaw, Jr. And brother Will D. William Douglas Ferriss, Jr. was Big Boo. Mr. Walter Wood, Jr. Gulf South Conference championships came in 1978, 1979, 1985 and 1988, with the Statesmen finishing second in 1981 and third in 1982. In baseball, he pitched right-handed and played first base left-handed. The mens swimming and diving program at Delta State University made $362,872 in revenue and spent $175,176 in expenses. Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Hamberlin Copyright 2022 The Northside Sun, 246 Briarwood Dr.- Jackson, MS 39206 | Terms of Use| Privacy Policy. I learned about the science of growing grass, the different chemicals you use. Delta State was a much more advanced program than anything I had ever seen, Kinnison said. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 02:24. 15 jersey will be retired at Delta State Saturday. Ferriss retired following the completion of the 1988 season, but he continues to be a tireless supporter at all levels of baseball throughout the state and especially his beloved Statesmen. Phone: 662.246.6311. Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Lott, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald G. Mayers He played anywhere he could find a game, and when there was no game, he played by himself, pitching to the front steps of his house. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Buchanan "Im a baseball fan, there area lot of baseball fans out there," Clark said. The mens tennis program at Delta State University made $143,637 in revenue and spent $91,845 in expenses. In February 2008, Ferriss welcomed back author John Grisham to Delta State's campus for an athletic fundraiser. The Mississippi baseball ranks are filled with former Delta State players who played for Ferriss. Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Thompson Metkovich was probably looking for Ferriss to throw a fast ball. Mr. Charles Batts Hes the guy who laid the foundation. Bolivar Commercial Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. You earned it. Visit Campus | Campus Map | Visitor Information | Give to Delta State | University Policies | Legislative Updates | Ethics Line | Title IX | Contact Us. MVP Games. In between ballgames at Tim and Nancy Harvey Stadium-Ferriss Field, the former Statesmen and their families met at the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni and Foundation House for food and fellowship provide by a former teammate and the National Alumni Association. As great a pitcher as he was, and he was one of the best, he is an even better person, Doerr said in 2004. Likewise, money made for womens athletics can vary quite a bit by sport. Mr. Rusty Ruscoe In 1988, he received the United States Baseball Federation Service Award for his contributions to the game. In 1978 and 1982, he was elected College Baseball Coach of the Year in Mississippi, and was runner-up in 1985. Image Credit: By Kilobytezero under License. Wal-Mart Delta State University. Mr. Ed Cauley Hear Ferriss talk about the call from the Boston Red Sox. Mr. Richard Cuicchi Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Showcases. Mr. and Mrs Ed Phillips He directed DSU teams to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in eight of his last 12 years, including three trips to the NCAA Division II championships where the Statesmen finished third, second and third respectively in 1977, 1978 and 1982. Mr. Calvin Wells, Gale Davis & Company Inc. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Delta_State_Statesmen_baseball_coaches&oldid=611809837, College baseball coaches in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 June 2014, at 11:54. Photograph of Ferriss is from the 1965 Delta State yearbook, The Broom. Mr. and Mrs. Willo Goodwin Mr. Charles E. Warren His ability to throw either right- or left-handed would amaze baseball people throughout his career. Hed tell me, Go eat a steak tonight. Mr. Bryan Rodgers Kinnisonguided the Statesmen to the 2004 NCAA Division II national championship, six College World Series appearances and 15 NCAA South Regional appearances. Ballplayers did not lift weights then, but Ferriss was what baseball people call country strong. Ferriss was living a life-long dream to pitch in the big leagues. You know how they ice arms down now? Dr. Ben Mitchell $34.95. His arm would never be the same. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Post Mr. Jim McCaleb I can remember wed be on a road trip and Coach would pull over some place and go in and spend five minutes with somebody to thank them for something they had done for the program, Kinnison says. Wilburn said his main goal is to build the culture in the program and set the precedent for what he expects out of the players, and what the players should expect from him. This is a bit of a downer since it means that the program lost money, $-17,607 to be exact. Itawamba CC. Many thanks to him. Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Arnold Sanderson Farm, Inc. Once with the Boston Red Sox, Ferriss began that remarkable stretch in which he won his first eight starts. Mr. and Mrs. 1 in the nation for several weeks in the NCAA Division II poll. He had scholarship offers from the University of Alabama, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), and Mississippi State. Mr. Mike Fielder And when the job become available after Seth Paulwho led the program since2015 resigned in June, Wilburn jumped at the chance. DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS c/o Chadwick-Dickson Athletic Field House DSU Box A3 Cleveland, Miss. Forty-nine of his players earned All-Gulf South Conference honors. Mr. Lee Burke Dr. Ron Hogan Smith, Jr. He was at the top of his game in an era when baseball was Americas sport. In addition to coaching at Delta State, Ferriss also served at various times as athletic director and director of the DSU Foundation. Email: lstanley@msdelta.edu. Carol Lightsey In Grishams The Kindest Cut, the author details his time at Delta State and how coach Ferriss handled the difficult task of cutting the would-be outfielder. Mrs. Susanne Blalock Mrs. Frances Wilson I loved everything about coaching except for cutdown day. Harris was the only African American player on the Delta State team, recruited by assistant coach Melvin Hemphill after she had starred for Amanda Elzy High School in Greenwood. Fri Apr 07. Ole Miss and Alabama had offered half scholarships. I dont think I impressed anybody. When he was not training soldiers, Ferriss was playing baseball for Randolph Field in a league with many professional players, including several major-leaguers. Also in 2008, Ferriss received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Delta State. As he delivered the pitch, Ferriss felt something snap in his shoulder. Coach is still the best Ive ever been around at the strategy of the game, about having a feel for different matchups, when to use certain players.. Dr. and Mrs. William Smith-Vaniz So, after pitching stints with Red Sox minor league teams in Birmingham and Louisville, Ferriss hired back on as pitching coach of the Boston Red Sox. Mr. and Mrs. James T. Harvey Victor Cates School Delta State University; Bubba Cates is a college coach.. After graduating college, Cates coached for Kirby High School.He was head coach at Jackson State Community College for nine years, going 255-161 and taking his team to the 1996 Junior College World Series. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Smith Among the people Ive known, Boo would be the one youd copy if you could and say I want to be like that man. Dr. and Mrs. Wayne Blansett It was the first time I had ever been told I wasnt going to be able to play ball. Mr. Jackie Joe Davis Two weeks later, Ferriss was back in the Boston Red Sox pitching rotation.