Jan. 26, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee was named the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago's College Coach of the Year during the organization's 63rd annual awards evening at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., Sunday. Brownlee was one of 22 honorees, including major-leaguers Jim Thome (Chicago White Sox), Jayson Werth (Philadelphia Phillies), Giovanni Soto (Chicago Cubs) and Carlos Quentin (Chicago White Sox).
The award, which recognized Brownlee's accomplishments heading into his 30th, and final, season as a collegiate head coach, was part of an exciting weekend for Brownlee, who also celebrated his 39th wedding anniversary with his wife, Candy, Saturday.
"This is one of the highlights of my career because the Pitch and Hit Club was founded by pro scouts and professional baseball people," Brownlee said. "For them to recognize my accomplishments - for me and my family - is really great. It's baseball people, and it's special when you're recognized by your peers. It's more than just the coach of the year award; I think it's an honor for my career of 30 years - persevering and enjoying it. It's really got me pumped up for this season."
In 29 years as a college coach, Brownlee has amassed 833 victories, won seven conference coach of the year awards, produced more than 40 players who have gone on to play professionally, and mentored 10 academic All-Americans. Brownlee spent 23 seasons at the helm of the Evansville baseball program before returning to his alma mater in 2003.
The Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago is a professional baseball organization formed in 1942 to promote goodwill toward baseball and fellowship among baseball professionals in the Chicagoland area.
Brownlee will lead Illinois State into its season-opening series in less than a month when the Redbirds play Belmont, Feb. 20-22, in Nashville, Tenn.
