Myers Brings the Fundraising Heat

"A lot of students go on to professional ball, or go to a four-year university to continue with baseball. At one time there was seven baseball players in Clark County that went on to play professional baseball including myself, and even now there are five from Clark County who are in the major leagues."

-Randy Myers, Clark College alumnus

Former Oriole Randy Myers is helping revive the baseball program at his alma mater, Clark College, in his hometown of Vancouver, Wash.

A return as a varsity sport has been difficult. For some reason, baseball team funding has been denied by the Associated Students of Clark College, which administers student fees. College officials have pressed ahead, and seek funding from the public.

The Clark College Alumni Association and Penguin Athletic Club have been pushing for some time to return baseball to the campus. But the standout booster for Clark baseball is Randy Myers, a member of the Clark College Class of 1983 and star Penguin pitcher.

Myers pitched at the junior college in the early '80s and received the school's Outstanding Alumni Award in 1991. When he was a student, Myers served on the school's club committee, which helped fund the baseball program. Years later, he served as an assistant coach for the women's basketball program.



Myers' generous contributions to the school, including matching donations that ranged from the hundreds to the tens of thousands of dollars during the recent fundraising campaign, helped revive the program that has been defunct since 1992. The Clark College Penguins will "Play Ball"again starting with the 2009-2010 season.

Myers tallied 76 saves in two seasons with the Birds, including a 45-save effort during the team's 1997 A.L. East Wire-to-Wire run that stands as the Orioles' single-season club record. His 131 relief points in '97 also are an O's record.

Myers made the All Star team in 1997 and finished fourth in both the MVP and Cy Young voting. Ken Griffey, Tino Martinez, and Frank Thomas finished ahead of him for MVP while Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, and Brad Radke topped him in the Cy Young race.


Image source: Clark College Foundation (click photo for original)