April 15, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - In the next week or so Kennesaw State softball head coach Scott Whitlock will reach yet another milestone as he is approaching his 1,000th career victory.

Standing with 999 career wins as the Owls head into Wednesdays doubleheader against Mercer, Whitlock is just one win away becoming the twelfth NCAA coach to reach the 1,000 win mark.

Anytime you hit a milestone it is a special feeling, this one is a feeling that I'm getting old, quipped Whitlock, who isn't far away from a smile when he reminisces about most of his 999 wins.

"What makes this special for me is that this really encompasses everything about our program," mused Whitlock, the only head coach Kennesaw State has ever known. "From the slow pitch days, to NAIA and Division II, and now Division I, its not only a testament to KSU, but it also reflects the evolution of our sport in our region of the country."

When Whitlock began his coaching career, he had to literally build the program from the ground up. Along with longtime assistant and good friend Don McKinlay, Whitlock grew KSU softball from scratch into one of the most successful and respected programs in the country.

"When you reach any milestone there are numerous people who've helped you arrive to where you are, in my case, one of them was Don," added Whitlock.

Whitlock's career began in slow pitch were he led the Owls to 153 wins over four seasons. He then moved Kennesaw State into the fastpitch realm where the Owls began their NAIA domination with 176 wins over four years.

In 1995, he led Kennesaw State into the NCAA era with back-to-back Division II National Championships in 1995 and 1996, beginning the Owls 11-year run of success at the D-II level. The 2006 season saw Whitlock take the Owls to the Division I ranks, where he has won 111 games in just over two and one-half years.

Reflections of past wins always begin with the national championships.

"Salem, Va. holds a very special place for me as it was the site of our first national championship," recalls Whitlock. "There is a river that runs behind the Moyer Complex where we played and right after we won I remember us jumping in to the river to celebrate. That was pure fun and joy - I don't think I'll ever forget that."

Salem is also the place Whitlock coached his final Division II game as he led an over achieving KSU team to the national championship game against Lynn.

"The 2005 Nationals was just a pleasant surprise," said Whitlock. "We had lost the first game to St. Mary's and then we took off on a streak unlike many others we've ever had and got to the finals. It was nice way to end our Division II run."

Whitlock Memories

Five Most Memorable Wins
"Every win is a good win and each loss is a bad loss, said Whitlock. While some people say that was an ugly win or such I can honestly say that there is no such thing as a bad win. But there are a few wins that come to mind quickly."
1. Beating Bloomsburg in the 1995 National Championship Game.
2. When we beat Carson-Newman in the 1991 Tri-District playoffs.
3. Beat Nebraska-Omaha in the 1996 National Championship Game.
4. When we beat Huntingdon in 1992 to advance to the National Championship Game against Pacific Lutheran.
5. March 17, 2004 - The first game at Bailey Park.

Memorable Players
"You know every student-athlete who has played for me holds a special memory and they each bring a special memory, but straight off the cuff here are a few that come to mind."
1. Dyan Mueller: Every game Dyan pitched I enjoyed because she was the epitome of a warrior.
2. Tonya Carlisle: I never coached anyone who winning meant more to than her.
3. Cara Dornstauder: She had the purest swing of anyone I've ever coached.
4. Colleen Thorburn: She was the first highly touted fast pitch recruit to commit to Kennesaw State. and of course,
5. Kelly Rafter: I mean she totally dominated teams during the 95 and 96 seasons. It was fun to watch!

Opponents
"I loved playing Columbus State when Judy Favor was the head coach there," said Whitlock. "That was a great rivalry. Judy and I brought out the best in each other. She is one of the best coaches I've ever gone up against."

"I also loved coaching against Doug Palmer, when he was at West Florida," added Whitlock. "Doug was one of my teachers and when we went up against him, and was able to win, it was special because I knew we had defeated a well-coached program."

"Without naming names or teams because there are just too many to specifically address, I cherish every time we went up against the teams we played in the playoffs," commented Whitlock. "All of the talented teams we played in the conference tournaments, regionals and nationals because I knew they were all good teams to have had made it to the postseason."

"On a personal note I always enjoyed coaching against a good friend of mine, Bob Heck at Georgia State. Not only is he a friend, but he is one of the pioneers of coaching in this region and I have so much respect for him."

The Humor in the Game
Anyone who knows Whitlock knows he is a quick-witted man. He is always ready with a story, anecdote or a joke. And with over two decades of games behind him, there have been numerous one-liners or funny incidents. However, one stands out in the legendary mentor's mind.

In 1992, the Owls were playing a home game in what was looking to be another victory for the Owls, before Whitlock and Hall of Famer Dyan Mueller got one of the most memorable circle visits in KSU history.

"Anyone who coaches knows that one of the biggest softball sins is for a pitcher to give-up an 0-2 count base hit. Well, we are winning by five or six runs and Dyan Mueller was pitching - and she is as serious and focused as they come.

In about the fifth inning, Dyan got ahead no balls, two strikes and then she gives up a single. So, I barked at her from the dugout; she turned and looked over her shoulder with an icy glare as if to say just be quiet jerk.

Well, the next batter gets behind 0-2 and wouldn't you know it, another base hit. Well, before the ball could get to the outfielder I am making my way towards the mound - in rare form.

Now, with a circle visit by a coach it is mandatory that the entire infield come in to listen. This time though, I called everyone off so it was me at 6-foot-4, Dyan at 5-foot-6 and Colleen Thorburn, a rookie catcher who was white as a ghost. While Standing directly and staring straight down at Dyan I said in as intimidating way as I could, "What in the "heck" is going on out here?"

Dyan looked up at me, and without flinching said, "Colleen called the pitches and both times I threw the ball as well as I could, and both times I missed. And, you'll just have to live with that."

Well what could I say? I stood for a second or two and, without saying another word, just turned around and walked away. I think that I might have mumbled, "Well, just get us out of this." And, I walked back to the dugout.

Well, sure enough, Dyan got us out the inning with no runs scored. After the inning ended, Don [McKinlay] asked me what I had said to her and I responded, "Oh, I told her to get her head out of her butt and do her job."

I learned so much that day, and it is true that there are some things you just have to live with.

It is true that Whitlock just has to live with some things, but for the living legend those things are begin and end with success.