HIWASSEE TIGERS BASEBALL 2019
Tiger Pride of Monroe County
t is hard to find anyone in East
Tennessee unaware of the Hiwassee
College fate, closing its doors
after 170 years. However, it should
not be dismissed in memory but
remembered for the men and women of
character that held it an honor to attend the
educational institution. That is something
being brought to light in the midst of this
darkness by the Hiwassee College baseball
team, the Tigers, who refuse to let anyone
else write their final chapter.
As the rumors became announcements and
the reality could no longer be ignored, the
timing could not have been worse for the
Tiger baseball team. Thick into their regular
season, the news of a permanent closure
devastated hearts and minds. “I didn’t have
words to encourage them,” said Shane Gardner,
Head Coach, “We met as a team and made
a commitment to finish strong.” Just shortly
before the announcement, coaching staff
and team had celebrated the 200th win for
Head Coach Shane Gardner, an incredible
accomplishment in 8 years leading the program.
Commitment is evident when talking
about the Hiwassee College Tiger baseball
team, who have been to the NCCAA World
Series the last three years. A national
championship is the goal sought with
determination and fight every season. Now,
it’s not just the quest to be the best, it’s the
legacy, the way they will be remembered,
taking priority.
And so the final chapter for Hiwassee
College was written. The closure would
happen before the Tiger’s season ended.
However, the final chapter of this baseball
program, this coach and these players is not
even close to complete. They rallied from
the emotional burden of circumstances to
engage competition, gaining a fifth straight
30-win season and traveling to Oakland
City, Indiana, for the Mid-East Regional
Tournament. The Tigers finished as region
runners-up and were named an “At-Large”
selection as No. 4 seed for the NCCAA
Baseball World Series, a fourth straight trip
to the championship playing field for the
Tigers under Head Coach, Shane Gardner.
It is not the “swan song” that is building
an historic legacy post the closing of their
historic college, it is never losing sight of
the goal, it is the never quit competing, it is
when all is coming down around you...stay
true to your teammates and fight.
It’s more than just baseball, more than
just a game. It is honoring the program,
the players that came before and the
dedication of the coaching staff, parents
and community. The last Hiwassee College
baseball team will be remembered for
doing things right on the field and for
doing things right off the field. The 2019
Hiwassee College baseball team and
coaches are forever the pride of Monroe
County, the very best of East Tennessee.
We salute the Tigers!
by CeCe Owens I
SUMMER 2019 MONROE LIFE 15