Former Jayhawk Shelley Inducted to NJCAA Hall of Fame
Jan. 22, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Former University of Kansas catcher Kent Shelley, who is the current head coach at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan., is one of three long-time coaches to make up the 2007 class of the National Junior College Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
In 19 seasons as head baseball coach at Johnson County Community College , Kent Shelley has become the winningest coach in JCCC history, compiling a 525-355-1 mark (.656). He has also led four teams to Eastern Sub-regional championships and two squads to NJCAA Region VI titles. During his tenure he has produced nine teams with 30+ wins and 18 teams with 20+ wins.
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Congratulations to Coach Shelly on being inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame,” Kansas head coach Ritch Price said. “I can’t think of any coach in America more deserving of this special tribute, and it couldn’t happen to a better person, teacher, or coach.”
Shelley has coached three NJCAA All-Americans, five USA Junior College All-Stars, nine All-Region VI performers, 65 All-East Jayhawk Conference recipients and 11 NJCAA Academic All-Americans, including eight in the last five years. To date, 19 of his former Cavalier players have been drafted or signed as free agents by the major leagues since he took over the reigns in 1987. Also, a total of 132 student-athletes under his direction have transferred to four-year institutions, 106 at the NCAA Division I or II level.
Shelley’s service to baseball also includes representing the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association on the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Executive Committee and serving on that organization’s International Baseball Committee. He has also represented the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association on the NCAA Division I baseball rules committee.
Most notably, in 2002 Shelley was selected to serve on the Executive Committee of the ABCA, becoming the second coach from the community college ranks to earn such an honor. Through his dedication to the ABCA and the sport of baseball he advanced in the organization and recently assumed role of President.
As a player Shelley was a collegiate standout catcher at Pratt Community College and at Kansas. At Pratt, he was co-captain and most valuable player in 1980 and at the University of Kansas, Shelley was elected co-captain in 1982. Following his senior year, he served as graduate assistant for the Jayhawks.
In addition to his coaching duties at JCCC, Shelley serves as a professor in the physical education department. He is also an associate scout for the Kansas City Royals.
Shelley earned his bachelor’s degree in personnel administration at KU and completed his master’s degree in student/personnel administration at Emporia State University.
