FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Former Head Baseball Coach and Citadel Hall of Fame Honorary Inductee Chal Port passed away early Saturday morning after a prolonged illness.
Port compiled an overall record of 641-386-2 (.624) in 27 seasons (1965-91) and remains the winningest coach in the school’s history in any sport. An honorary inductee in The Citadel Hall of Fame in 1996, Port led The Citadel to five postseason NCAA Regional Tournaments while posting a winning record in 24 of his 27 seasons. His 1990 team advanced to the College World Series in Omaha with a school-record 46 victories. That squad was the first and still only military school ever to reach the College World Series.
“Obviously it’s a shock to The Citadel Baseball program and to the school in general,” said head coach Fred Jordan, who played for Port. “He touched so many lives within our institution and it’s a sad day for the Bulldog Family as a whole. He suffered a great deal as of late and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.” Port and Jordan have combined to coach the last 47 seasons of the program.
The Bulldog legend racked up seven Southern Conference championships and was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year five times and Atlantic Region Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1990. He was voted state of South Carolina Coach of the Year three times and honored by The Sporting News as the National Coach of the Year in 1990. In 1995, Port was voted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame.
Port graduated all but three of his players in 27 years and coached 12 future professional players. He passed away at a local rehab facility early Saturday morning at the age of 80.
