Long Beach State University Athletics
Coach Mike Weathers Honored During Alumni Day
3/31/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
LONG BEACH, Calif. - Long Beach State paid tribute to one of the university's most successful coaches during Alumni Day at Blair Field last weekend. Coach Mike Weathers was recognized prior to Saturday's game with an unveiling ceremony that revealed his name and jersey number displayed prominently alongside other former coaches Dave Snow and John Gonsalves.
Weathers spent 18 years coaching at Long Beach State, spending his first nine as an assistant under Snow before taking the head job in 2002. Over his nine seasons as the head coach, Weathers compiled a 311-213 record with a pair of Big West titles, six NCAA Regional appearances and a pair of NCAA Super Regional appearances. Weathers' teams finished either first or second in the Big West in each of his first seven seasons as head coach, and reached the postseason in six of those seven seasons.
"Mike followed Dave Snow's success and kept the program and university in the national spotlight," said current Dirtbags head coach and former Weathers assistant coach Troy Buckley. "How Mike led this program was as special as what he did by leading with integrity, honesty, class and life balance. I am so happy for Mike since he has finally been acknowledged for all of his success and commitment to this university and program."
Weathers not only had winning teams at Long Beach State, he also recruited and cultivated a huge crop of Major League talent. That's led to the Dirtbags having more alumni in the MLB in each of the last seven seasons. During his 18 years at LBSU, Weathers coached 30 future big leaguers, including Jered Weaver, Evan Longoria, Troy Tulowitzki, Jason Vargas, Marco Estrada and several others.
"We honor Coach Weathers for his dedication to building the Dirtbags program, serving the community and for his influence that is still felt by each student-athlete that played for him," said Rob Clark, LBSU's Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations & Communications. "His approach instilled the Dirtbags Way -- a championship mindset, character, respect and hard work. It is an honor to have his name and number displayed at Blair Field."
During the ceremony, Long Beach State University President Dr. Jane Close Conoley was on hand to offer her support and introduce Coach Buckley, who spoke about what Weathers has meant to the program. A video tribute to Coach Weathers was also played on the Blair Field videoboard and his number was unveiled down the left field line, behind the Dirtbags' old bullpen.
