ELON COLLEGE, NC - There are milestones people tend to celebrate, a child's birth, a wedding and on some occasions a college graduation. In the case of the 2000 Elon baseball team and head coach Mike Kennedy, it is the achievement of his 100th career victory.

Four years ago, Kennedy was hired to continue the winning tradition of Fightin' Christians baseball, which he was a part of for three seasons (1988-90). During that time Elon collected 102 wins, including the conference and district championships in 1990. Kennedy, a catcher, finished his career as a .311 hitter along with All-American, all-district and all-conference accolades.

In the spring of 1990, Kennedy signed with the Oakland A's organization and spent two years in professional ball. Prior to becoming a head coach, Kennedy spent four seasons as pitching coach for the Fightin' Christians.

When Kennedy was hired as the head coach on September 12, 1996, he inherited a squad that went 27-18 the previous season. In his first year, he guided Elon to a 34-16 record, a Division II conference championship and a berth in the D-II NCAA tournament. For his efforts, Kennedy was awarded Coach of the Year honors.

He has produced only one losing season in his four years, 20-35-1 last season, and has transformed Elon into an established Division I program.

So far this season, the Fightin' Christians boast a 19-8 record through 27 games, including a nine-game winning streak. That mark surpasses the start by the 1997 squad which began 18-9 through 27, during its South Atlantic Conference title run.

Under his tutelage, four Fightin' Christians have entered the pro ranks; Tony Pigott '97 (Tampa Devil Rays), T.J. Donavan '98 (Philadelphia Phillies), Chris Hughes '99 (Chilicothic, a member of the independent baseball league) and Chris Maness '98 (Philadelphia Phillies).

As Elon embarks on a weekend trip to beautiful Asheville, NC Kennedy's 100th career win looms overhead. With the victory, he would become the eighth head coach to garner 100 victories in the storied 98 year history of Fightin' Christians baseball. Kennedy is on pace to pass James Mallory's 107 career wins (1948-53) this season as he looks to guide his squad to the Big South Conference title in the first year as an official Division I member. The career victory holder is Robert D. McBee, who compiled 196 victories during his eight years (1977-84) at the helm of Elon baseball.

Coach Kennedy stands on the threshold of a milestone which occurs only once in a lifetime. This year has already seen its share of celebrations including the dawn of a new millennium, but I believe there may be room for one more.

--ELON--