Young inducted into NJCAA Baseball Hall Of Fame

Former Middle Georgia and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural (Ga.) coach Craig Young was inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Hall of Fame last Friday night. Young accumulated a remarkable 761-380 record in his 22-year coaching career. His coaching prowess helped lead his Middle Georgia State squads to four appearances (2001, 2002, 2004, 2009) in the NJCAA DI Baseball World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Coach Young has been honored through various awards including being named NJCAA Region 17 Coach of the Year five times (1993, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2012), NJCAA East Central District Coach of the Year four times (2001, 2002, 2004, 2009), and ABCA Region Coach of the Year five times (1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006.) In 2012, Young was awarded the NJCAA's 20-year service award for his time with the association. At the state level, he was recognized in 2002, 2004 and 2009 as the Georgia Dugout Club's Coach of the Year.

With some guidance from Young, 47 former players were drafted by MLB franchises, including Kyle Farnsworth, Josh Reddick, and Willie Harris.

During his off time coaching, Young gave back through the game of baseball. In 1993, he began serving as Director of Craig Young Baseball Camps and began assisting with the operations of the university's annual baseball camp, the Middle Georgia Showcase.

Besides overseeing the baseball program, Young was the athletic director from 2003-2006 and served as the Region 17 Baseball Chair from 2000-2003. Young was also a member of the ABCA for more than 20 years. Young joins former fellow GCAA Baseball Coach Scott Sims of South Georgia State College who was inducted in 2012.

Outside of baseball, Young graduated from Union County High School in Blairsville, Georgia. He stayed inside of the Peach State and attended Georgia Southwestern State University where he earned his Bachelor and Masters of Education.

Young is married to his wife Lynn and they have three children, Chase, Jessi, and Cal.