MACON, Ga. – Barry Myers, head baseball coach at Mercer University from 1978 to 2003, died Thursday at the age of 78.
Myers was the winningest coach in Mercer history with 663 victories during his 26-year career. His teams won three Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) tournaments, and he earned Coach of the Year honors four times – in 1979, 1981, 1983 and 1994.
He also coached at Florida State University, Miami-Dade Community College and Jacksonville University.
The coach’s success on the field was more than matched by the performance of his players in the classroom. One season, 24 of his 30 student-athletes were named to the conference’s All-Academic team. During his career, more than 95 percent of his players earned their college degrees.
“Barry was a pioneer in the sport of college baseball,” said current Mercer head coach Craig Gibson, who played under Myers in the 1980s. “I thought he did more with less than anyone I ever knew at a time when there were few resources to succeed.
“He put our program in position to have the success we have today. He’s a mentor and a friend as well as a role model for young people. You can’t say enough about Barry – to me he is Mercer Baseball.”
Myers’ accolades at Mercer include three divisional titles, in addition to the three conference championships. At one time, the Bears recorded nine consecutive 30-win seasons under his guidance.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Myers taught physical education courses. In his early years at Mercer, he served as the baseball team’s first assistant, second assistant, trainer and groundskeeper. He was also the University’s soccer coach from 1974 to 1976.
Myers was inducted into the Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002, and the University’s Barry Myers Endowed Scholarship was created in his honor.
A native West Virginian, Myers attended Marshall University, where he played baseball for the Thundering Herd.
Myers was preceded in death by his mother, Rosalie Myers, and his father, Ingrim Myers.
He is survived by his son, Robb Myers, and brother, Mike Myers, both of Macon.
A memorial service will be held Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. at Hart’s Mortuary at the Cupola on Peake Road, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in his memory to the Barry Myers Scholarship Fund at Mercer.
