Angelo State University Baseball: A Legacy of Growth, Community, and Championship Glory

Angelo State University (ASU) in San Angelo, Texas, boasts a rich history marked by resilience, growth, and unwavering community support. From its humble beginnings as a local college to its current status as a respected university within the Texas Tech University System, ASU has consistently strived for excellence. The Angelo State Rams baseball team exemplifies this spirit, achieving remarkable success in a relatively short period.

From Local Roots to University Status

The story of Angelo State University begins in the 1920s. In 1923, San Angelo failed to be selected as the home of Texas Technological College. Undeterred, local residents decided to establish their own college, funded by their own means. Classes commenced with 112 students, with tuition set at $75 for city residents and $115 for those from out of town. The institution held its first commencement in May 1929, graduating six students.

The early years were challenging. The Stock Market crash of 1929 triggered the Great Depression, impacting the entire nation. However, San Angelo College (SAC) persevered through the Depression and World War II, maintaining a forward-looking approach. The college outgrew its downtown campus and sought to relocate, but lacked sufficient tax funds for the transition. The citizens of San Angelo once again demonstrated their commitment by raising $300,000 to facilitate the move.

By the 1950s, SAC experienced growth on its new campus on West Avenue N, fueled by the GI Bill® and an increasing emphasis on education. The college also demonstrated progressive values by admitting its first black students a year before the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education decision. In 1955, Mary Frances Simpson, the outstanding graduate of that year, became the first black student to graduate from SAC. Furthermore, in 1953, Ben Kelly broke the color barrier in Texas intercollegiate football, starting for the Rams and later being named class favorite.

The 1960s marked a significant turning point as San Angelo College transitioned into a four-year, state-supported university. This fulfilled the long-held aspirations of local residents dating back to the 1920s. In 1963, Governor John Connally signed legislation officially making SAC a state institution and part of the Texas State University System.

Read also: ASU Job Opportunities

Continued growth characterized the following decades. The 1970s saw a surge in campus population with the arrival of the Baby Boomers. Intercollegiate athletics for women began in 1975. In 1978, long-time ASU supporter Robert G. Carr established a foundation funded by his mineral and royalty interests from oil-producing properties in 16 West Texas counties. His wife, Nona Carr, added her interest to the foundation upon her death nine years later. The Robert G. and Nona K. Carr Foundation has had a profound impact on Angelo State, providing scholarships for "needy and worthy" students since 1981.

Angelo State University continued to gain recognition. The university experienced its second-biggest building boom between 1996 and 2006, resulting in a modern campus. In 2007, local residents successfully petitioned legislators to move Angelo State University from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System. This move took effect on September 1, 2007.

Growth and Expansion in the 21st Century

The implosion of University Hall in 2009 paved the way for further campus expansion. In 2010, the Rambelles track and field team secured ASU's fourth national title, claiming the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championship. Fall semester enrollment surpassed 7,000 students for the first time in 2011. ASU was named to the Princeton Review's "Best Colleges" guide for the fourth consecutive year in 2012. Dr. Brian J. May was appointed president of Angelo State University in 2012.

In 2014, Angelo State celebrated its 90th anniversary and launched its first capital campaign, raising over $35 million. Growth remained a central theme in 2015, with a record fall enrollment of 8,156 students. This growth was driven by a new off-site dual credit program, increasing numbers of graduate students taking online courses, and the introduction of a new civil engineering program. The Hunter Strain Engineering Labs facility was completed in 2017, and the building for the Archer College of Health and Human Services neared completion in 2018.

Further additions to the campus included Community Credit Union Field, the Health and Human Services Building, the Shannon Sportsmed Clinic, and a new wing for the Centennial Village residence hall. A generous private gift led to the naming of the Norris-Vincent College of Business, and plans for the ASU Mayer Museum were announced. ASU's first civil engineering graduates received their diplomas, and a new mechanical engineering program was approved.

Enrollment exceeded 10,500 in 2019, a year also marked by groundbreaking for the Stephens Chapel and Mayer Museum. In 2020, ASU adapted to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by transitioning to virtual classes. Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronnie D. Hawkins Jr. became president of Angelo State following the resignation of Dr. Brian J. May.

ASU adopted its first official Core Values, along with new Mission and Vision statements, in 2021. Despite a week-long campus closure due to severe winter weather, a new Bachelor of Commercial Aviation degree and a Psy.D. in counseling psychology were added. ASU was selected to pilot a community cybersecurity program with UTSA, and the campus returned to full capacity for the fall semester.

In 2022, ASU was chosen to pilot another cybersecurity program and became the site of the state's first Regional Security Operations Center. Ground was broken for the Housley Tower, and significant renovations began for the Elta Joyce Murphey Auditorium in the Mayer Administration Building. A new Doctor of Social Work degree, the first Latinx Stole Ceremony at commencement, and the Mariachi Los Pastores ensemble were also introduced.

The ASU Rodeo Team dominated headlines in early 2023, coinciding with the addition of the ASU Rodeo Complex at the San Angelo Fairgrounds. The Rams baseball team won its first national championship, the fifth in Angelo State history, and construction began on a new Rambelles Soccer Clubhouse. ASU also achieved SACS-COC re-accreditation, added a new Center for Digital Learning and Instruction, and introduced a fourth doctoral degree, an Ed.D. in transformative leadership.

In 2024, ASU completed demolition of the vacant Concho Hall high rise dorm. The Housley Tower and the Rambelles Soccer Clubhouse at the newly-named LeGrand Soccer Complex were dedicated, and new Cattle Show Barns were added to the ASU Ranch. Ground was broken for a new Angelo State Golf Complex and short-game course, as well as dual expansions to the ASU Mayer Museum.

Read also: A History of Angelo State Football

The Angelo State Rams Baseball Team: A Force to Be Reckoned With

The Angelo State Rams baseball team represents Angelo State University in NCAA Division II college baseball. Since the program's inception, the Rams have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, quickly establishing themselves as a formidable competitor. The Rams are the fastest team in NCAA history to start a program and advance to the D2 World Series by doing so in their 3rd year (2007). They are the only current Lone Star Conference team to ever make the College World Series.

Consistent Excellence and National Recognition

The Rams have consistently earned recognition for their outstanding performance. Over 100 players have received All-Lone Star Conference selections, 40 have been named to All-Region teams, and 23 have achieved All-American status. The Rams are currently one of the most consistent baseball teams at the D2 level. The 2024 season marks their fourth straight CWS appearance, with their first national title secured in 2023.

Community Engagement and Facilities

Angelo State is deeply involved in the San Angelo community. Head coach Kevin Brooks and his players actively engage with high school and youth players, fostering a love for the game and mentoring aspiring athletes. San Angelo boasts two high-quality baseball facilities, in which Brooks and his team are very interested.

Foster Field, constructed in 2000, provides a top-notch venue for the Rams. The $4.5 million facility features 4,200 seats, a Triple-A lighting system, and an inning-by-inning scoreboard with a video display. In 2015, $2.1 million in renovations were completed, including the addition of an AstroTurf playing field, new blue chair back seats, and padding on the outfield wall.

Early Success and World Series Appearances

In only their third season of existence, the Rams finished the 2007 season with a 51-20 (.718) record and reached the Division-II College World Series, marking the fastest such trip in NCAA history. The Rams went 20-8 in LSC play and won the conference tournament on their home field. ASU hit .321 as a team, and the pitching staff had an earned run average of 3.87 in 457.2 innings. The team outscored their opponents 409-241 in the course of the 57-game season.

The Rams advanced to the NCAA DII South Central tournament for the fourth time in 2013 with an at-large bid as the region's fourth seed. ASU went 1-2 at the tournament, ending their season. The 2013 team included ten players who were honored with LSC postseason awards and Lee Neumann who earned the ABCA/Rawlings South Central Player of the Year and was named an All-American for the second straight season.

2015: A Historic Season

The Rams advanced to the College World Series for the second time in program history after sweeping their way through the LSC Championship and then winning the NCAA DII South Central Championship by taking four straight elimination games for their second regional title. The Rams were eliminated in the second round with a record of 1-2. The team began the season on a 15-game winning streak. Paxton DeLaGarza, Steve Naemark, Blake Bass and J.C. Snyder were each named All-Americans, and David Goggin earned the Lone Star Conference Academic Player of the Year, and was named the NCAA DII Baseball ELITE 89 winner for having the best GPA at the National Finals. ASU had 13 players earn LSC postseason honors, highlighted by Naemark being named the LSC Pitcher of the Year and DeLaGarza the LSC Player of the Year.

Continued Dominance and Fan Support

The Rams repeated as regular season Lone Star Conference champions in 2016, and swept their way to the D2 World Series, winning four straight games at the South Central Regional to advance in back to back years. The team broke an attendance record for Division 2 baseball by averaging over 1,200 fans a game.

The Rams finished 2021 with the first of four trips in a row to the NCAA Division II College World Series. Their conference record was 27-5, regular season 34-6, and overall 44-9. The Rams finished 2022 with a conference record of 38-10, and an overall record of 51-14.

2023: A National Championship Triumph

The Rams finished the 2023 season with a conference record of 40-8, and an overall record of 56-9 en route to their third trip in a row to the NCAA Division II College World Series. The team took their first national championship, remaining undefeated throughout the series. The final DII baseball Power 10 rankings of 2023 listed Angelo State as #1, and the team never slipped below No. 5 from the preseason to final pitch. Kade Bragg was named co-pitcher of the year alongside Mitch Farris from Wingate.

2024: Another Successful Season

The Rams finished the 2024 regular season with a total record of 41-19 and a conference record of 32-16. The Rams didn’t have quite the dominating season as 2023, losing the regular season and conference tournament title to other conference teams. However, the player experience and the coaching prowess of Kevin Brooks helped the Rams dominate the South Central Regional Tournament, going undefeated (beating Colorado Mesa once and West Texas A&M twice) on route to the South Central Super Regional against Lubbock Christian.

Key Players and Coaching Staff

Rance Rosas earned the Elite 90 Award, recognizing the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at each NCAA championship.

Aaron Munson was named the MVP of the D-II College World Series. Kade Bragg was named the NCAA D-II Pitcher of the Year. Braxton Pearson, Caleb Heuertz, Scott Ellis and Austin Teel also made valuable contributions on the mound. Jacob Guerrero made significant contributions in the title game. Other key contributors included Tripp Clark, Austin Beck, Jackson Hardy, Jordan Williams, Justin Harris and Kam Kelton.

Kevin Brooks is a graduate of Baylor University, earning his bachelor's degree in secondary education while playing baseball for the Bears baseball team from 1988 to 1991. Brooks started his coaching career in the Jayhawk Collegiate League, working as a summer coach in 1993, and for the Hays (Kan.) Larks in 1995. The 1995 Larks included Major League Baseball National League All-Star Lance Berkman. With Brooks’ guidance, the Larks finished second in the 1995 National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series behind the 1996 USA Olympic Baseball Team. He served as an assistant coach at the University of Incarnate Word from 1994 to 1998, and was a volunteer assistant coach at Texas A&M Aggies baseball in 1999, helping the Aggies to the Big XII title in their run to the NCAA Division I College World Series.

A Program Built on Community and Support

The Rams benefit from exceptional fan support. Hundreds of fans greeted the Rams on their return at Ranger Aviation after their national championship victory.

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