By: By Jason Brown
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Kennesaw State University Department of Athletics will induct the 1994 NAIA national championship baseball team into the KSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Hilton Garden Inn & Suites in Kennesaw. In the week leading up to the induction ceremony, KSUOwls.com will feature several members.of the Owls team, highlighting their accomplishments during that magical season and what they are doing today.
Mike Sansing
Then: Third-year Head Baseball Coach
1994 Record: 48-14 including a 17-game winning streak to finish the season
Now: Entering 23rd season as KSU Head Baseball Coach with an overall record of 947-485 for a .661 winning percentage.
Favorite Moments: "I remember the weather at the national tournament was really nice except the last day. We had a wind and rain storm that hit causing the wind to shift directions. There was a dog food manufacturing plant across the street from the stadium and the wind blew a horrible stench right into the field of play during our game. It was very unpleasant.
"I also remember the hospitality of the people of Des Moines, Iowa during our stay [for the national tournament]. When we went to eat at a local restaurant, our guys ordered sweet tea and the wait staff indicated that they didn't know what that was. After winning the national title we went back to the restaurant and they proudly announced they had figured out what sweet tea was and they had it ready for us.
"The teams in the national tournament were responsible for providing their own balls for infield and batting practice. On the last day of the tournament we ran out and I had to drive to a local K-Mart to buy some more. Come to find out our players were giving out all the balls to kids during the tournament – some were even bribing the kids by offering a ball in exchange for a concession stand hot dog."
Bob Roman
Then: Assistant Baseball Coach
1994 Record: 48-14 including a 17-game winning streak to finish the season
Now: Entering his 23rd year with KSU Athletics, Roman now serves as Director of Athletic Fields
Favorite Moments: "I remember how different the fields were out there [Des Moines, Iowa – site of national championship tournament] and how dark and rich the soil was. The dirt caused dark stains on the uniforms that we couldn't get out. The stadium was the home of the AAA Chicago Cubs and they mimicked the same fescue bluegrass that Wrigley Field had at the time. The grass was very thick and cut very high. We were used to the short cut Bermuda grass.
"On the final day of the regionals in Columbus, Ga., we were playing St. Thomas for the right to advance to the national tournament. It had already been a very long day and it was getting pretty late. The game was tied in the ninth inning when Darrell Baggett was on deck. He told the coaches that he was tired and hungry and didn't want any part of playing in extra innings. He then promptly walked to the plate, hit a walk-off homer, and we were on our way to the World Series….and to eat!
"After winning the regional tournament in Columbus [Ga.] I was driving the team bus home. It was in the middle of the night – probably 2 or 3 a.m. – I had a bus full of kids heading up 85 north when a deer ran out in front of me. At that moment I had two choices – I could swerve quickly to try and avoid hitting the deer, or I could hit the deer head on. I knew from the type of bus I was driving that if I made any sudden moves to avoid the deer the bus would've surely flipped and rolled causing multiple injuries and potential casualties. The deer collided with the bus on a front and side impact. I pulled over to check the bus and there was blood everywhere and the front fender was bent into the tire. We had to bend it back out in order to drive home. The stench was horrible but nobody [besides the deer] was hurt. If there ever was a sign that we were a team of destiny this was it.
"When we were out in Des Moines (Iowa) playing in the national championship tournament coach Sansing went crazy after he discovered that his roommate – assistant coach Tray Breitbath – washed his lucky socks. Sansing had been wearing the same socks every day during the win streak."
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