Athletics

Musgraves named 2012 NAIA Regional Coach of the Year

January 04, 2013

LSU Shreveport Head Baseball Coach, Rocke Musgraves, has built the LSUS Baseball into one of the premier programs in the NAIA.  Today at the NAIA 2013 Rawlings-NAIA Hall of Fame & Awards Luncheon in Chicago, Musgraves was named the NAIA's - Regional Coach of the Year for the second time in his career following his outstanding 2012 season with an overall record of 54-6 and 3^rd place Avista-NAIA World Series. He previously received the same award after the Pilot's first ever appearance in Lewiston back in 2003.

In just his 13^th season the Pilots gave their coach his 500 college victory, while amassing an overall record of 544 - 258.  His 2012 club was the first ever LSUS baseball team to reach the number 1 ranking in the NAIA as they stayed there for six consecutive polls. Musgraves' .678 career winning percentage ranks him 3^rd in the NAIA of active coaches with over 500 victories.  Over the past 10 seasons Musgraves has won more games than any four-year coach in the state of Louisiana.

Musgraves has created a winning tradition with the baseball program since his arrival in 1999 and also served as LSU Shreveport's Interim Athletic Director in 2002 between the retirement of Larry Rambin and the present A.D., Doug Robinson. During that time Musgraves was instrumental in working with LSU Shreveport's Chancellor, Dr. Vincent Marsala, and the Athletic Council to expand the athletic department, which added Men's and Women's Basketball in 2003 and Women's Soccer in 2004.

In 2012 The Pilots completed one of NAIA's best winning percentages of all-time with 54 wins against only 6 losses. After winning the Red River Athletic Conference for the second consecutive year, the Pilots also took home the RRAC Conference Tournament crown for the second consecutive year.  After sweeping their three games in the NAIA Opening Round National Tournament the Pilots headed to the prestigious NAIA World series against the top nine teams in the country and the host team, Lewis & Clark State.  The Pilots dropped the first game and then won their next three games in dramatic fashion, pitting them against Tennessee Wesleyan to see who would play in the National Championship Game.  Despite the 3^rd place finish, Musgraves was proud of his squad, especially after they were given the Tournament's "Champions of Character Sportsmanship Award."  During the season the Pilots led all of NAIA baseball in runs per game.(8.9)

The 2011 season was one to remember for Musgraves and his Pilots as they won the regular season title in the Red River Athletic Conference, the RRAC Tournament title, the NAIA Opening Round Montgomery Bracket, and made their second ever appearance in the Avista-NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho, finishing 4^th. LSUS won their first two games in the World Series as they defeated Lee University 5-4 with four runs in the bottom of the ninth. Their second win came against the #1 team in the nation, Embry Riddle, as they won in the bottom of the 10^th 3-2 to stay in the winner's bracket. The next two games did not bode so well as the Pilots lost to Lubbock Christian 3-0 and the eventually National Champion Concordia University 8-4.  Pilot Catcher Andrew Brouillette was given the "Champions of Character Player Award," awarded to the player in the tournament that exhibits the best sportsmanship.

During their stint in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (2001-2011) the Pilots won more games than any other GCAC program and set several conference records:  wins, doubles, homeruns, runs scored, hit by pitches and offensive walks.  Musgraves served as the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Chairman during  2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Musgraves-coached teams are known for their toughness, their ability to come back late in games, and their ability to score runs, which is evident by them holding two NAIA all-time National Records - offensive hit by pitches and offensive walks in a season.

In 1996 Musgraves joined the staff at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, as Assistant Baseball Coach. While at Nicholls he oversaw practices, served as the NSU Camp Director, maintained the field, and helped recruit the team that made it to the 1998 NCAA Division I Regional Tournament. Players under Musgraves' tutelage included: Maleke Fowler, the 1996 NCAA leader in stolen bases and Brett Lockwood, who broke Todd Walker's State of Louisiana hitting-streak record.

Musgraves also served as Assistant Coach at Pima Community College in Tucson from 1993-1995 where he worked with infielders and hitters, including the nation's leading hitter, Erubiel Durazo who went on to play in the Major Leagues for the Oakland A's and Arizona Diamondbacks.

In 1992, as an Assistant Coach at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona his team was ranked, 9^th in the nation by USA Today.  In 1993 he was named Assistant Coach at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, which played in the Arizona State Championship game.

Musgraves began his coaching career in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada in 1988.  He experienced success as a head coach in the Montana State American Legion League where he coached the Fort Macleod Royals to 1993 and 1994 Pacific Northwest Regional Championships. His team also won the 1994 Montana State Championship, collecting an overall record of 207-98, which led to Musgraves being named the 1994 "Montana State Coach of the Year."

In 1995, his only year in the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League (summer collegiate league), he led the Oyen Pronghorns to their first ever Championship with a 32-7 record.

Musgraves received his M.A. from the University of Arizona in 1994 and B.A. from Westmont College in 1988. His college playing career included Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California and Yavapai Community College in Prescott, Arizona.

Coach Musgraves has been married to his wife, Mitzi, for 15 years and are the proud parents of Libbi Montana (2003) and Eli Christian (2005).

Musgraves Record at LSUS                             

Musgraves Awards and Accomplishments
3 Avista-NAIA Worlds Series Appearances
2003-finished 3^rd
2011-finished 4^th
2012-finished 3^rd
10 seasons with 40 or more wins
12 straight winning seasons
9 NAIA National Tournament Appearances
6 Conference Tournament Championships (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012)
3 Conference Regular Season Championships (2005, 2011, 2012)
2 Red River Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2011, 2012)
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2005)
LSWA Louisiana Coach of the Year (2011)
2 Diamond Southern Region Coach of the Year (2011, 2012)
2 TPX Conference Award (2011, 2012)
NAIA Regional Coach of the Year (2003, 2012)