LUBBOCK, Texas -- Mike Gustafson, president and chief executive officer of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, is the newest recipient of the American Baseball Coaches Association Meritorious Service Award.
Gustafson will receive the award on Jan. 9, 2016, at the ACBA annual convention in Nashville.
"This is an amazing honor," Gustafson said. "To be recognized by such an illustrious organization, the coaching fraternity, is humbling. For them to recognize our work is very rewarding."
Gustafson has been the head of the NCBHOF since 2009, working each year to bring recognition to both the past and present greats of the college game through the annual College Baseball Night of Champions event, which features the induction of each year's Hall of Fame class and the presentation of numerous awards, including the Brooks Wallace National Shortstop of the Year, the National Pitcher of the Year and the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year.
"There is such a rich history at all levels of this game," Gustafson said. "We want to make sure the story of the college game is preserved and shared with current and future generations."
According to the ABCA news release, the Meritorious Service Award is given to a person who has "proven himself/herself in service to amateur baseball and the ABCA, and whose actions and involvement have resulted in a notable impact on the sport. Service may include years of participation, administration, contribution, innovation or exposure/advancement of amateur baseball through media coverage."
In addition to the Night of Champions event, the Hall of Fame publishes a quarterly magazine, College Diamonds, to highlight news and issues related to college baseball, recognizes award winners and Hall of Famers at events across the country and hosts high school and college games and tournaments.