Chicago White Sox ace and former FGCU standout Chris Sale has been named to the Atlantic Sun Conference’s inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The 2010 Collegiate Baseball National Pitcher of the Year and four-time Major League Baseball All-Star, Sale is one of six outstanding athletes who will be inducted on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina.
“We are honored to have Chris represent FGCU in this inaugural class,” said FGCU Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh. “He both epitomizes the selection criteria and represents Florida Gulf Coast University and the A-Sun Conference in outstanding fashion as a daily ambassador on and off the field.”
One of only six players in MLB history to play in the same year he was drafted, Sale was selected 13th overall following his junior season at FGCU in 2010. Along with a perfect 11-0 record and 2.01 ERA over 17 games in 2010, Sale struck out a national-best 146 batters while walking only 14, which remains the fifth-best single-season total in A-Sun history. Following that season, he became the first player in program history to be named an All-American.
Sale finished his career with FGCU – the only Division-I school to offer him a scholarship – with a 2.52 career ERA and a 20-4 record in 52 appearances. FGCU has won four A-Sun regular-season championships since moving to D-I, three of which (2008, ‘09, ‘10) came during Sale’s tenure. He was also a regular recipient of conference postseason honors, earning All-Freshman Team membership, A-Sun Pitcher of the Year and a pair of A-Sun First Team selections.
“The success that Chris has had has brought instant credibility to who we are and proven that you can get to the big leagues from the A-Sun,” added FGCU Head Baseball Coach Dave Tollett. “He is a champion in every aspect. He not only is the greatest player to ever wear the Green and Blue, but overall is just an outstanding person.”
An eight-member Hall of Fame Committee representing each of the A-Sun’s member institutions selected its Class of 2015 from a list of 19 nominees. The recognition was created to honor former student-athletes, coaches, administrators and others whose collective accomplishments have contributed to the conference’s successful.
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