Coach Bill Griffin, who has been inducted into the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2007, led the Howard College Baseball Program for 9 seasons and built an impressive legacy in the process. 

During his tenure as the Hawks’ skipper, he led the program to 347 wins, two conference crowns, two regional titles, one state title and the 1991 NJCAA National Championship.  He was twice named the National Coach of the Year and was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 1983 and has a lifetime record of 986-405 with a lifetime winning percentage of .708. 

While at Howard College from 1982-1992, Griffin held several other positions, clearly a “pro” at multi-tasking. He served as the Dean of Student Services for 6 years, as the Athletic Director for 8 years and as an Assistant Professor for 3 years.  He did all of this while he was coaching baseball!  Although his claim to fame lies on the baseball field, we know that he had an equally strong impact on the many student lives he touched.  His wisdom and guidance for the students and his peers were invaluable. 

His storied career also includes accomplishments such as being selected by the American Baseball Federation as one of four coaches chosen to coach in the World Baseball Games held in the Republic of China, which was a forerunner of baseball being introduced into the Olympic Games in 1980.  Throughout his career, he has coached 23 All-Americans and has had 64 players drafted into professional baseball.  Forty of the 64 players were drafted during his tenure with the Hawks. 

The highest recognition or accomplishment for a player or a coach is to have their number retired.  For a permanent recognition of Coach Griffin’s career achievements and induction into the WJCAC Hall of Fame, the number 39 was officially retired on April 27, 2007 and will not be worn again at Howard College.