Savannah State Tigers and Lady Tigers#Baseball

Savannah State University holds membership in the NCAA Division II (as members of the SIAC) and participates in the following sports: football, baseball, basketball (men and women), cross-country (men and women), tennis (men and women), track and field (men and women), volleyball (women only), golf (men), and softball (women).{{cite web |url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/athletics/index.htm |title=Savannah State University Athletics |year=2007 |access-date=2007-04-04 |publisher=Savannah State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125649/http://www.savannahstate.edu/athletics/index.htm |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.onnidan.com/bcsp/1246/notes.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928110732/http://www.onnidan.com/bcsp/1246/notes.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 28, 2007|title= Savannah State's bid to join MEAC on hold; Winston-Salem State to get vote soon|publisher=Black College Sports Page |access-date=2007-06-05}}{{cite news|last=Barnidge |first=Noell |title=Flythe: SSU to stay Division I; eyes conference |work=SavannahNow.com |publisher=Savannah Morning News |date=August 24, 2008 |url=http://savannahnow.com/node/558331 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202050043/http://savannahnow.com/node/558331 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-02 |access-date=2008-08-26 }} On March 20, 2010, the Tigers were accepted as provisional members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) beginning on July 1, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://savannahnow.com/sports/2010-03-11/savannah-state-joins-mid-eastern-athletic-conference|title=Savannah State joins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|first=Noell|last=Barnidge|work=SavannahNow.com|publisher=Savannah Morning News|date=March 11, 2010|access-date=2010-03-11}} On September 8, 2011, the university was confirmed as a full member of the MEAC Conference, making the Tigers eligible to participate in all conference championships and earn the conference's automatic berth to NCAA postseason competition in all sponsored sports.{{cite web|title=N.C. Central and Savannah State Become Full Members |url=http://www.meacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=20800&ATCLID=205268476|work=MEACSports.com| date=September 8, 2011 |publisher=Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|access-date=September 9, 2011}} Before moving to Division I-AA, Savannah State was a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in the NCAA Division II (1981–2005), NCAA Division II and the Southeastern Athletic Conference in the NAIA (1929–1961).

Savannah State announced on April 17, 2017, that all of its intercollegiate athletic programs were going to be reclassified to NCAA Division II, citing that maintaining Division I status was not financially feasible.[http://savannahnow.com/local-colleges/news/sports/2017-04-17/savannah-state-plans-move-athletics-down-division-ii Heath, Donald. "Savannah State plans to move athletics down to Division II," Savannah (GA) Morning News, Tuesday, April 18, 2017.] Retrieved January 26, 2018 Just under eight months later on December 7, the university revealed its plans to apply for re-entry to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference by February 1, 2018.[https://www.savannahstate.edu/News/2017/12/07/SSU-moves-to-Division-II-Southern-Intercollegiate-Athletic-Conference "SSU moves to Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference," Savannah State University, Thursday, December 7, 2017.] Retrieved January 26, 2018 These plans were later approved and Savannah State was re-admitted into the SIAC on July 2, 2019.

The official school colors for Savannah State are Burnt Orange and Reflex Blue.{{cite web|url=http://www.savstate.edu/athletics/athleticdept/athletic-dept.htm|title=Savannah State University Athletics|access-date=2007-06-05}} White is often used as a secondary color and for alternate jerseys.

Athletics at Savannah State University are administered by the Savannah State University Athletic Department. The department is headed by an athletic director who is responsible for the department's oversight and all matters related to the school's 16 NCAA Division I sports teams for men and women.{{cite web|url=http://savannahnow.com/sports/2010-12-09/suggs-named-savannah-state-athletics-director|title=Suggs named Savannah State athletics director|date=December 9, 2010|access-date=2011-02-18|work=SavannahNow.com|publisher=Savannah Morning News and Evening Press|first=Noell|last=Barnidge}} The department dedicates about $2 million per year for its sports teams and facilities.{{cite web |url=http://www.midmajority.com/school.php?s=SAVST |title=The Mid-majority Report: Savannah State |access-date=2007-06-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517091153/http://www.midmajority.com/school.php?s=SAVST |archive-date=2007-05-17 }}

The current athletic director is Opio Mashariki{{cite web|title=Opio Mashariki: Director of Athletics|url=http://www.ssuathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=73|work=Staff Directory|publisher=Savannah State University|access-date=April 15, 2012}}

The head coach is Florentino "Tino" Burgos.{{cite web|url= https://ssuathletics.com/staff-directory/florentino-burgos/279|title=Savannah State University Baseball Head Coach: Florentino Burgos|publisher=Savannah State University|access-date=January 1, 2025}}

• The Savannah State Tigers finished as SIAC baseball champions for five consecutive seasons (1995–1999).
• In 1999, the Tigers were the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Division II South Regional baseball Tournament{{Cite web|url=http://www.onnidan.com/98-99/news/newsindx.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990202102337/http://www.onnidan.com/98-99/news/newsindx.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 2, 1999|title=From the Onnidan Online News Room|access-date=2007-11-26}}
• In 2013, the Tigers were the co-champions of the MEAC Southern Division and won the conference baseball tournament and the conferences automatic NCAA bid.
• In 2024, Savannah State fell in the SIAC Championship Game to Edward Waters. However, due to EWU being in the final year of their three-year transition to the NCAA Division II, Savannah Stat received the SIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament, earning the No. 8 seed in the South Region.

{{small|{{color box|#ADFF2F}} NCAA Division I Independent {{color box|#808000}} SIAC (NCAA Division II) {{color box|#ADDFAD}} NCAA Division III {{color box|#FFFF00}} NAIA Southeastern}}

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• Savannah State holds the NCAA Division II records of 46 consecutive victories in baseball and 46 consecutive victories to start of a season (2000). The team also hold the NCAA Division II records of 12.59 average runs per game in a season (2000), 58 total triples in a season (1998) and 1.18 average triples per game in a season (1998).
• Theophalus Gregory established the NCAA Division III record of 1.92 average stolen bases per game in 1974 as a member of the Savannah State baseball team.{{cite news|url=https://www.ncaa.org/library/records/baseball/baseball_records_book/2006/2006_baseball_records.pdf|title=Official 2006 NCAA Records Book| access-date=2006-12-05|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060930235430/http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/baseball/baseball_records_book/2006/2006_baseball_records.pdf |archive-date = September 30, 2006}}
• Gerald Smith, held the 2005 NCAA Division I top slugging percentage (.785) as a member of the Savannah State baseball team.
• Savannah State baseball player Brett Higgins (2000) holds the NCAA Division II record of 32 doubles in a season (in 49 games) with four other players and led the NCAA in RBIs (93), slugging percentage (1.010), and total bases (193) in 2000.
• Willie Melendez, former Savannah State baseball player holds the NCAA Division II record of 16 triples in a season (1998).

Some notable Savannah State baseball players and coaches include:

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{{Alum|name={{sort|Alvarez|Mark Eric Alvarez}}|year=|Option1=Pitcher |nota=Signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006|ref={{Cite web|title=Pittsburgh Pirates Scoutinig Report|url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pressbox/downloads/y2007/pit/player_dev.pdf|access-date=2008-09-05}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}}}

{{Alum|name={{sort|Jackson|Brandon Jackson}}|year=|Option1=Outfielder|nota=16th round selection of the 1999 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|ref={{Cite web|title=First-year Player Draft|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/draft/draft.jsp?year=1999&type=junreg|access-date=2008-09-05}}}}

{{Alum|name={{sortname|Kyle|McGowin}}|year=|Option1=Pitcher|nota=First Team All-American in 2013, 5th round selection of the 2013 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|ref={{cite web|url=http://savannahnow.com/sports/2013-06-13/savannah-states-kyle-mcgowin-named-all-america-team|title=Savannah State's Kyle McGowin named to All-America team|access-date=December 11, 2016}}}}

{{Alum|name={{sortname|Jeff|Urgelles}}|year=|Option1=Catcher|nota=Minor League Baseball player and Major League Baseball coach for the Miami Marlins|ref={{cite web|title=PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND SCOUTING|website=MLB.com |url=http://www.mlb.com/pressbox/downloads/y2006/cin/player_dev.pdf|access-date=2008-09-05}}}}

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{{main|Savannah State Tigers men's basketball}}

Savannah State competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference since July 2019, and plays home games in Tiger Arena on the university campus.

The school gained notoriety when they finished the 2004–2005 men's basketball season a winless 0–28, the first Division I team to do so since Prairie View A&M University in 1991–1992.{{cite news|url=http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=1969957 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050315020037/http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=1969957 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 15, 2005 |title=Tigers finish season 0–28|work=ESPN.com|date=May 28, 2005|access-date=2005-02-15}}{{cite web|url= http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/040805aas.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080320044540/http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/040805aas.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= March 20, 2008|title=Winless Savannah State Gets New Coach|publisher=CSTV.com|access-date=2007-06-05}}{{Cite web|title=SSU fires men's basketball coach Daniels|url=http://apse.dallasnews.com/contest/2005/writing/40-100/40-100_breaking_hr2.html|date=February 17, 2005|access-date=2007-11-22}} The Tigers were the 2011–12 MEAC regular season champions and received an automatic bid into the 2012 NIT, their first ever appearance in any Division I tournament as a Division I member. The team posted a 21–10 overall mark and lead the MEAC in scoring defense, only allowing 58.9 points per game and were second in the conference in scoring margin (+5.4).{{cite web|title=MEAC announces All-MEAC Men's Basketball Honors|url=http://www.meacsports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=20800&ATCLID=205391359|work=MEACSports.com| date=March 4, 2012 |publisher=Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|access-date=March 6, 2012}}

The Tigers defeated Benedict College, 76–62, to win the 2022 SIAC Men's Basketball Tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.wjcl.com/article/marsh-madness-savannah-state-tigers-win-siac-championship/39339659# |title=Marsh Madness Savannah State Tigers win SIAC Championship |work=WJCL.com|date=March 6, 2022 |publisher=Hearst Television Inc|access-date=April 24, 2022}}

{{Main|Savannah State Lady Tigers basketball}}

Savannah State Lady Tigers basketball is a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member. They currently play in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).{{cite web |title=Savannah State Lady Tigers Schedule – 2018–19 |url=http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/team/schedule/_/id/2542/savannah-state-lady-tigers |website=ESPN |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

The Lady Tigers started playing in 1928 and in 1974 joined Division II. They compiled a 339–394 record in Division II before moving on to Division I in 2002.{{cite web |title=Savannah State University|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/ssuathletics.com/documents/2017/10/16/2017_18_SSUWBB_QuickFacts.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307091644/https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/ssuathletics.com/documents/2017/10/16/2017_18_SSUWBB_QuickFacts.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |website=Amaza News |access-date=September 6, 2018}} In Division I, the Lady Tigers are 148–260.{{cite web |title=Savannah State University|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/ssuathletics.com/documents/2017/10/16/2017_18_SSUWBB_QuickFacts.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307091644/https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/ssuathletics.com/documents/2017/10/16/2017_18_SSUWBB_QuickFacts.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |website=Amaza News |access-date=September 6, 2018}} The Lady Tigers won 6 total SEAC Championships.{{cite web |title=Savannah State University|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/ssuathletics.com/documents/2017/10/16/2017_18_SSUWBB_QuickFacts.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307091644/https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/ssuathletics.com/documents/2017/10/16/2017_18_SSUWBB_QuickFacts.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |website=Amaza News |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

The Lady Tigers will move back to Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) after the 2018–19 season{{cite web |title=Savannah State plans move athletics down division ii |url=http://www.savannahnow.com/local-colleges/news/sports/2017-04-17/savannah-state-plans-move-athletics-down-division-ii |website=Savannah Now |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

{{main|Savannah State Tigers football}}

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The football team is traditionally the most popular sport at Savannah State. The games are played at Ted A. Wright Stadium. Since moving to NCAA Division I – FCS in 2000, the Tigers have compiled a 17–88 record as of the 2009–2010 season.{{cite web|title=Football Championship Subdivision Records Book|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/DI/2010/2010FCS.pdf|access-date=2011-02-28}} Prior to moving to Division I – FCS, the team compiled a 97–108–4 record in NCAA Division II (1981–2000), a 15–20–0 record in NCAA Division III (1973–1980) and a 1–1–0 record as a member of the NAIA.{{cite web|url=http://www.diaafootball.com/team000043.html|title=DIAAFOOTBALL.COM – Savannah State|access-date=2007-06-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321110900/http://www.diaafootball.com/team000043.html|archive-date=2008-03-21}}{{Cite web|title=Official 2007 NCAA Division II and III Football Records Book|url=https://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football/football_records_book_d2_d3/2007_d2_d3_football_records.pdf|access-date=2007-11-20}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

The current coach is Don Andrews who entered his first season as head coach in 2008.{{Cite web|title=Savannah State University Volleyball/Tennis Head Coach: Yocaira Basilio|url=http://www.savstate.edu/athletics/wvolleyball/coach.htm|access-date=2007-11-21}}

The Women's Tennis Team won the SIAC championship in 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

In 2014, the Women's Tennis team set the program record for Division I wins.{{cite web |title=Women's Tennis Sets Division I School Record| url=https://ssuathletics.com/news/2014/3/18/WTEN_0318144246.aspx?path=wten |website=SSU Athletics | date=March 18, 2014 |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

The Women's tennis team started playing in 1984–85.{{cite web |title=Savannah State University 2017–18 Women's Tennis |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/ssuathletics.com/documents/2018/4/2/2017_18_SSUWomensTennis_QuickFacts.pdf |website=Amazonaws |access-date=September 6, 2018}} They joined the MEAC during the 2011–12 season.{{cite web |title=Savannah State University 2017–18 Women's Tennis |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/ssuathletics.com/documents/2018/4/2/2017_18_SSUWomensTennis_QuickFacts.pdf |website=Amazonaws |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

The current head coach is Jolanta Graham who replaced Schannon Gamble in 2012.

Savannah State's Women's volleyball team began play in 1985 before they moved to Division I in 2002.{{cite web |title=Savannah State Volleyball 2014 Quick Facts Sheet |url=https://admin.xosn.com/pdf9/2766095.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=20800&DB_OEM_ID=20800 |website=XOSN |access-date=September 6, 2018}} They began MEAC play in 2011.{{cite web |title=Savannah State Volleyball 2014 Quick Facts Sheet |url=https://admin.xosn.com/pdf9/2766095.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=20800&DB_OEM_ID=20800 |website=XOSN |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

Savannah State's Women's volleyball has not had much success in their previous 34 seasons.{{cite web |title=Savannah State Volleyball 2014 Quick Facts Sheet |url=https://admin.xosn.com/pdf9/2766095.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=20800&DB_OEM_ID=20800 |website=XOSN |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

{{Expand section|date=November 2007}}

The current head coach is Jose Gonzalez who entered his first season in 2008.{{Cite web|title=Savannah State University Softball Head Coach: Henry Banks |url=http://www.savstate.edu/athletics/softball/coach.htm|access-date=2007-11-21}}

In 2012, the Lady Tigers softball team completed their first .500 season and won a MEAC division title.{{cite web |title=Savannah State Softball Wins MEAC Southern Division Title |url=https://ssuathletics.com/news/2012/5/6/SB_0506121857.aspx?path=softball |website=SSU Athletics | date=May 6, 2012 |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

{{Expand section|date=October 2007}}

The current coach is Art Gelow.{{Cite web|title=Savannah State University GOLF Head Coach: Art Gelow|url=http://www.savstate.edu/athletics/golf/coach.htm|access-date=2007-11-21}}

{{Expand section|date=October 2007}}

The current coach is Ted Whitaker who entered his first season as head coach in 1999.{{Cite web|title=Savannah State University TRACK & FIELD Head Coach: Ted Whitaker |url=http://www.savstate.edu/athletics/track/coach.htm|access-date=2007-11-21}}

Most athletic teams have on-campus facilities for competition, including Ted A. Wright Stadium for football and track and field,{{cite web |title=Mercer Returns to Savannah for Orange & Blue Classic |url=https://mercerbears.com/news/2018/3/9/womens-track-and-field-mercer-returns-to-savannah-for-orange-blue-classic.aspx?path=wtrack |website=Mercer Bears | date=March 9, 2018 |access-date=September 6, 2018}} and Tiger Arena for basketball and women's volleyball.

Ted A. Wright Stadium is an 8,500 seat multi purpose stadium which opened in 1969.{{cite web|title=Theodore A. Wright Stadium|url=http://ssuathletics.com/sports/2013/1/3/GEN_0103135658.aspx?id=75|publisher=Savannah State University Athletics|access-date=September 6, 2018}} The stadium's name is an homage to former Savannah State Football coach Theodore Wright, who coached the team from 1947 to 1949.{{cite web |title=Savannah State Athletics |url=https://ssuathletics.com/hof.aspx?hof=41 |website=SSU Athletics |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

Track and field renovations were made at Ted A.Wright Stadium in the mid 1990s as part of the "Olympic Legacy Package". The "Olympic Legacy Package" included a 400-meter track and competitive field areas.{{cite web|url=http://www.chathamcounty.org/tools/splost-detail.asp?id=180|title=Track & Field – Wright Stadium|publisher=Chatham County|access-date=September 6, 2018}}

Tiger Arena is a 5,000-seat multi purpose arena that opened in 2000. Tiger Arena replaced Willcox-Wiley Gymnasium,{{cite web|url=http://www.savstate.edu/tour/buildings/gym/wileygym.htm|title=Wilcox Gymnasium|publisher=Savannah State University|access-date=2018-09-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206064307/http://www.savstate.edu/tour/Buildings/gym/wileygym.htm|archive-date=2008-02-06}} costing $9.6 million to construct.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2005-02-04-savannah-state-struggles_x.htm|title=Savannah State is in quite a struggle|work=USATODAY.com|publisher=USA Today|date=February 4, 2005|access-date=2018-09-06 | first=Ray | last=Glier}}

The traditional rival, in all sports, is in-state Fort Valley State University.{{cite web |title=Watch Shannon Sharpe dominates-college competition at Savannah State |url=https://hbcugameday.com/2015/08/02/watch-shannon-sharpe-dominates-college-competition-at-savannah-state/ |website=HBCU Gameday |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

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