Rudy Vallee Abbott (December 29, 1940 – February 9, 2022) was an American college baseball coach who served as head coach of the Jacksonville State Gamecocks baseball team from 1970 to 2001. His all-time record is 1003–467 (.682).[1]
Coaching career
Abbott coached the Jacksonville State baseball teams to NCAA Division II national champions in 1990 and 1991.[2] Seven of his Jacksonville State baseball teams advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series. In 1979, his team started the season with a 29–0 record, an NCAA record for the best start in history.[3] He was named Division II Coach of the Year in 1990.[4] In Division I, he was named the TAAC Coach of the Year in 1997.
As of 2013, Abbott's 1,003 wins placed him ninth on the all-time NCAA list for coaches in Division II.[5]
Personal life and death
Abbott was hospitalized with COVID-19-related pneumonia in February 2022. He died on February 9, at the age of 81, in Jacksonville, Alabama.[6]
References
- ^ "JSU Mourns Loss of Hall of Fame Baseball Coach Rudy Abbott". jsugamecocksports.com. Jacksonville State Gamecocks. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ Newberry, Paul. "Abbott 1 win shy of 800 at Jacksonville". TimesDaily (Florence, Ala.), April 20, 1994, p. 1D. Retrieved on May 26, 2013.
- ^ "Rudy Abbott". Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
- ^ Cedartown Standard. "Abbott selected coach of the year". January 22, 1991, p. 9. Retrieved on May 26, 2013.
- ^ National Collegiate Athletic Association. "2013 NCAA Baseball Coaching Records Through 2012", p. 6. Retrieved on May 26, 2013.
- ^ "Legendary Jacksonville baseball coach Rudy Abbott dies". WBRC. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.