FORT SCOTT, Kan. (Feb. 11, 2024) - Fort Scott (3-1) Head Coach John Hill secured his 500th career victory on Saturday's first game when the Hounds defeated Pratt 13-3. The Hounds dominated all weekend, winning three of the four games against the Beavers.
Game 1 | 6-0 FSCC over Pratt
Game 2 | 10-20 Pratt defeat FSCC
Game 3 | 13-3 FSCC over Pratt
Game 4 | 11-10 FSCC over Pratt
Sophomore, Catcher/Outfielder, Cord Dobrinkski, was lights out all weekend after hitting four homeruns with six rbi's for a batting average of .385. Gavin Brummund was untouchable on the mound during game one; he did not allow a run and only allowed two hits during his four innings of work to secure the win.
Coach Hill is the first name that comes to mind when thinking about the success the Hounds baseball team has consistently year in and year out. He has resurrected the program into one of the top teams in the Jayhawk conference and nationally. Coach Hill took over the program in 2008, compiling a winning season in year one, and has not looked back. Here is a list of his achievements on and off the field at the helm of Fort Scott:
- He had the highest team GPA in the Jayhawk Conference and Region 6 in twelve out of his 15 years.
- Top 11 Nationa Team GPA - 15 out of 15 years as the Head Coach.
- 151 Academic All-Americans with 74 Distinguished Academic All-Americans (3.80-4.00)
- Winningest Coach in Program History (501 wins)
- 88 All-Conference Players, 22 All-Regions Players, 5 All-Americans
- 44 Professional baseball players, including MLB All-Star Pitcher John Means of the Baltimore Orioles
- Fundraised over $1,000,000 since his tenure at FSCC
- His teams have compiled over two thousand hours of community service in Fort Scott
Coach Hill states from his milestone, "500 wins seems like an individual honor because it's tied to me, BUT, it is anything but individual.Growing up, I learned from my father to coach with my heart and for the betterment of young men, not just for wins. In college, I played for and coached for numerous coaches who adhered to the same principles. At Fort Scott, I've had the honor to coach young men who trusted me with their careers and allowed me to guide and mentor them into. I've also had the honor to have assistant coaches who supported those principles and worked tirelessly with our players on their craft.
My family, especially my wife Lindsay, has always supported me in being a coach and allowed me to invest in my players. My sons have both supported and benefited from having 35-50 older brothers each year. No one can be a successful coach without a supportive spouse and family, I have the best of both! The campus of FSCC and the community of Fort Scott have been monumental in our success. It takes a tribe, and our campus and community have supported us for all these years. Lastly, I can't begin to describe the place Jesus Christ has had in my life and His influence and continued presence. By His grace, all things are possible. I love this community, I love our school, I love our students, and it's a daily honor to coach all three!"
Here are a few quotes from former players and coaches:
- Aaron Mason | FSCC All-American Pitcher, KJCCC Pitcher of the Year, and Division-1 Signee of Abilene Christian University
"Coach Hill,
First and foremost, congratulations on getting your 500th Career win. There's not a coach I could think of who is more deserving than you. To the outsiders, you are just a coach, but you were much more than that to the players you have currently and in the past. You were the father away from home. The lessons you taught us set us up to be successful. You genuinely take boys and make them into grown men.
Fort Scott will always have a special place in my heart, and I truly owe it to you. Thank you for teaching me more than just baseball. Good luck this year, and keep grinding. As always…..GO HOUNDS!!!!"
- Andrew Morrow | FSCC KJCCC East Division Co-MVP and Division-1 Signee of Michigan State University, Current FSCC Assistant Baseball Coach
"Congratulations, Coach Hill, on your 500th win! Thank you for all you have done for me both in my athletic career and at the beginning of my coaching career. I could not have a better mentor to learn from. You have been a true role model for hundreds of young men who have been a Greyhound and called this place home! We would not be able to call it a HoundFam without you.
As one of your alums and on behalf of all of your players, past and present, we want to thank you for all the sacrifices you have made for the good of this program and the college. We are all extremely proud of you, and we cannot think of anyone more deserving of this accomplishment and recognition!"
- Alex Copeland | FSCC Golden Glove Winner and Division-1 Signee of Abilene Christian University, Former FSCC Assistant Baseball Coach
"Coach Hill,
Congratulations on your 500th win. This milestone is a testament to your commitment to excellence year in and year out during your coaching career. I know you will celebrate with humility and the utmost character, just like you have taught the hundreds of players you have coached. I am one of those lucky ones who have had the privilege to play, but more importantly, learn the many life lessons you continue to teach today. 500 wins is a huge accomplishment, but you have impacted far more young men's hearts. You do what is right, no matter if it is a hard choice or not. The lessons you taught not only me, my teammates and those before and after me have created your gritty legacy that will be carried on through us. From the small details to the big ones, you have not skipped a step. I thank you for believing in me and pouring what you have into me and countless other young men as they go on their own journey to becoming a man.
Thank you Coach! Cheers to 500 more!"