Legendary University of Southern Mississippi Baseball Coach Scott Berry honored by Mississippi Senate
Thu, 02/22/2024 - 02:52pm
Retired University of Southern Mississippi Baseball Coach Scott Berry is standing with his wife Laura, and from left, Senators Angela Hill, Chris Johnson, Joey Fillingane, John Polk, and Joel R. Carter Jr.
Legendary University of Southern Mississippi Baseball Coach Scott Berry was honored with presentation of Senate Resolution 6 by the Mississippi Senate on Thursday, February 22, 2024, upon his retirement at age 60, following 14 seasons at the helm of the baseball program, leading the Golden Eagles to unprecedented levels of success as the team moved to the Sun Belt Conference.
Under Berry's tutelage, Southern Miss has captured five Conference USA regular season titles, registered four league tournament crowns, obtained eight NCAA Tournament appearances, and the Golden Eagle head coach won the league's "Coach of the Year" award four times.
Berry oversaw a squad that tied for the second-most victories at the school with a 47-19 mark, won a regional on its home field – defeating LSU two out of three games at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field, and played host to its first-ever NCAA Super Regional. His squad also became the fourth school since the NCAA that went to a Super Regional format to host a league tournament, NCAA Regional, and NCAA Super Regional in the same season.
In the final year of Conference USA, Berry led the Golden Eagles to a regular season title and enjoyed the school's fourth Ferriss Trophy in Tanner Hall for the "Top Collegiate Player in the State of Mississippi." He also captured the C-USA "Coach of the Year" award. The Golden Eagles registered their sixth-straight 40-win season, the most currently held by any Division I program, and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth-straight year and 18th time overall.
Southern Miss finished as high as No. 11 in the final polls. This team saw five players earn C-USA postseason honors, while enjoying two All-Americans and one Freshman All-America pick. Berry will remain at the school as Assistant Athletic Director of Community Relations.