The Tigers are coming off an uncharacteristic season as the team struggled mightily early in the season, starting 7-10. Despite the tough start, Sanders rallied the Tigers to their fourth straight MSC Championship as they knocked off University of the Cumberlands in the MSC Championship game. In the regional tournament, Campbellsville opened up with rival Trevecca Nazarene and took the tournament opener in dominant fashion, winning 21-0. After falling into the loser's bracket, the Tigers again overcame adversity as they advanced to the regional championship game for the second straight year. Their run ended as they lost to 2004 national champion Cumberland University.

 

In 2007, Sanders guided the Tigers to a 43-18 overall record, which was good for a #11 national ranking and a Mid-South Conference Championship. The Tigers came one game away from the super regionals during that year.

 

Sanders reached his most recent milestone on March 14^th, 2006, when he amassed his 700^th career win against national power Cumberland University by a score of 11-4. He will likely reach his 800^th win in the 2009 season.

     

 

A YEAR BY YEAR LOOK AT SANDERS' LEGACY

 

1991:                     8-30                       .210                     Started 0-18, Finished 8-12

 

1992:                     26-20                    .565                      Western Division Champions

 

1993:                     20-21-1                 .488

 

1994:                     30-19                    .612                       KIAC Runner-Up

 

1995:                     41-14                    .745                       KIAC Champions

 

1996:                     37-19-1                 .661                       KIAC Champions

 

1997:                     28-25                    .539                       Mid-South Regional Appearance

 

1998:                     18-31                    .367

 

1999:                     30-22                    .577

 

2000:                     31-29                    .517                       MSC Champions

 

2001:                     31-18                    .633                       MSC Champions

 

2002:                     14-36                    .280

 

2003:                     29-17                    .630                       Region XI Qualifier

 

2004:                     33-23                    .589                       Region XI Qualifier

 

2005:                     43-14                    .754                       MSC Champions

 

2006:                     38-14                    .731                       MSC Champions

 

2007:                     43-18                    .705                       MSC Champions

 

2008:                     27-20                    .575                       MSC Champions

 

 

 

What they're saying about Sanders:

 

"Our club has been coming down to play Campbellsville for the last 10 years. I consider Beauford to be one of my best friends. Coach Sanders is truly one of the most respected coaches in the NAIA. He does a tremendous job of building lifetime character traits in young people and challenges his players to live up to those standards."

-Tim Mead, Head Baseball Coach - Walsh University

  

"I've known Beauford since we coached against each other back when he was coaching Junior College ball in South Carolina. I will always remember him as one of the most gracious, hospitable, and classiest coaches I've ever had the pleasure of competing against.  I know he has done a great job at Campbellsville, turning them into a national power." 

-Rob McDonald, Head Baseball Coach - Murray State University

 

"I know that when we play Campbellsville, it is going to be a conference series where two teams really get after each other. At the same time, I have no concern that there will be unsportsmanlike behavior, trash talk, or dirty play. That is a credit to Coach Sanders. No matter what happens in a series, Coach Sanders is a class act. I have tremendous respect for him as a person and as a coach. I am proud to say that Beauford Sanders is my friend."

-Brad Shelton, Head Baseball Coach - University of the Cumberlands

 

"Coach Sanders has been a mainstay in NAIA Baseball for several years. He has built a great program at Campbellsville. I congratulate him as he reaches the milestone of 800 wins."

-Woody Hunt, Head Baseball Coach - Cumberland University

  

"A true competitor and motivator on the field. It has been a pleasure battling against his clubs over the past 10 plus years."

-Mike Talley, Head Baseball Coach - Lindsey Wilson College

ALL ABOUT BEAUFORD SANDERS:

 

Date of Birth:                  November 21, 1953

 

 

Parents:                          Beauford and Shirley Sanders

 

Siblings:                         Stanley (53) and Lisa (49)

 

 

High School:                     Woodruff High School (SC)

 

Education:                         B.A. in Education from the University of South Carolina

                                        M.A. in Education from Furman University

 

Awards/Honors:                  2007 & 2005 MSC Coach of the year

 

                                         Morgan Carlile, 2005 MSC Player of the year

                                         Matt Antle, 2003 MSC Pitcher of the year

                                         Enrique Lazu, 1999 MSC Player of the year

 

Coach Sanders has resided in Campbellsville, Kentucky for the last eighteen years since accepting the job and he is originally from South Carolina. Off the field, Sanders is an avid hunter and fisherman.  He is also the Assistant Director of Athletics at Campbellsville University.  He takes a great deal of pride in being a devoted family man and giving his players the best possible opportunity to grow as people on and off the field.