Rick Sabath Announced as Fort Hays State University's New Head Baseball Coach
June 9, 2006
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Fort Hays State University announced Friday the hiring of former University of Kansas assistant baseball coach Rick Sabath as the head coach of the Fort Hays State baseball program. Sabath is a 1994 graduate of FHSU.
“I’m extremely happy for Coach Sabath and his family,” said Kansas head coach Ritch Price. “It’s an opportunity to lead his alma mater. I know his goal is to win a national championship and I believe he is talented enough to make that dream a reality. We wish him nothing but success in this great game.”
Sabath leaves the University of Kansas where he served one season as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He helped guide the Jayhawks to their first ever Big 12 title this past season and its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1994.
Prior to his stint at the University of Kansas, Sabath was head coach at Garden City Community College from 2002-2005. In his three seasons, he compiled an overall record of 107-67. In 2003, he helped guide the Broncbusters to their first division title since the 1989 season and an appearance in the Region VI Final. The Broncbusters also won the division title in 2005 and were one win shy of advancing to the JUCO World Series finishing at 41-17.
Sabath was head coach of the Cloud County Community College baseball program from 2000-2002. He guided the Thunderbirds to their best ever conference finish in 2002. He was named the Jayhawk West Division Coach of the Year in 2001.
From 1996-2000, Sabath was an assistant coach at Hutchinson Community College. The Blue Dragons set a new win record each of the four seasons he was with the program. He helped guide HCC to four consecutive conference titles which include a post-season title in 1997 and regular season titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000. HCC had a combined record of 162-75 in those four seasons.
Sabath began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Kansas. During his first stint with the Jayhawks, Sabath coached the catchers and served as the first base coach in 1995 under Dave Bingham and 1996 under Bobby Randall.
Before his coaching days, Sabath played baseball at Fort Hays State University during the 1992 and 1993 seasons. He played at Barton County Community College during the 1990 and 1991 seasons.
Sabath is a native of Lenexa, Kan. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Fort Hays State University in 1994. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Kansas in 1996. Sabath and his wife Carol have two sons, Brett and Drew.
Sabath will take over a team that finished 46-17 overall last season with an NCAA Division II West Regional appearance. He will guide the Tigers in their first season as members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 2007.
