April 11, 2011
SAN DIEGO - Former San Diego State head baseball coach Jim Dietz will be honored for his many years of service and his impact on the SDSU baseball program prior to the start of Friday night's (April 15) baseball game against TCU at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Aztecs will officially retire Dietz's #4 jersey with an unveiling of his retired number on the outfield wall.
With Friday's game scheduled to be telecast by CBS College Sports TV at 6:00 p.m., the ceremony honoring the former coach will begin at 5:40 p.m.
For 31 years Dietz wore jersey number four while leading the SDSU baseball program from 1972 to 2002, a tenure of some 31 years. During that period he became one of the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA history, amassing a total of 1,231 wins, an average of 40 victories per season and a .620 winning percentage.
Over his three decades as head coach, his Aztec teams won numerous conference, divisional and regular-season titles. He guided his 1979 team to the school's first-ever NCAA tournament appearance, a feat he accomplished eight times during his tenure.
Dietz earned both conference and regional coach-of-the-year honors while at San Diego State and was also the recipient of several local awards for his community service. Among the many future Major Leaguers he coached were Tony and Chris Gwynn, Bud Black, Dave Smith, Travis Lee, Mark Grace, Bobby Meacham, Al Newman and Mark Williamson.
Tickets for Friday's contest are available in advance by calling 619-283-SDSU as well as at Tony Gwynn Stadium on game day for $6. Groups of 10 or more can contact Chris Carlson at 619-594-8392 or email him at ccarlson@mail.sdsu.edu. Suite rentals are also available.