MELBOURNE, Fla. - Former Eckerd baseball player Bill Evers has been selected to the 2025 Class of the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame, as announced by the conference on Friday, August 1.
Evers was a catcher on the baseball team from 1973-1976, where he was a two-time All-American, garnering ABCA Second Team honors in 1976.
He led the Tritons in career RBIs (158) at the time of graduation, and currently ranks third in school history.
Evers was drafted by three MLB teams in the 1975 and 1976 seasons. He became the first Eckerd baseball player to be drafted in program history. He played in the Chicago Cubs minor leagues for three years, where he hit .250 as a catcher and first baseman.
He began his coaching career in 1980 as a catching instructor with the Cubs. He transitioned into the managerial role in 1987, spending 19 years as a minor league manager, compiling 1,381 wins, which was tied for second-most among active minor league managers. He won five minor league championships, including the Florida State League and two Texas State League championships.
After eight years leading the Durham Bulls, he joined the Tampa Bay Rays as a Bench Coach from (2006-07), Scout (2008-09), and Field Coordinator (2010-18). He then joined the Minnesota Twins as a coach from 2018 to 21.
Evers was inducted into the Eckerd Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000 and the International League Hall of Fame in 2012. He also received the William H. Kadel Alumni Medal for Outstanding Career Achievement from Eckerd in 2006.
The inductees of the SSC's 25th Hall of Fame class are Beverly "Bev" Buckley (Rollins, women's tennis Head Coach), Bill Evers (Eckerd, baseball), Bill Jurgens (Florida Tech, Athletic Director), Gregory Malfitano (Lynn, Senior Major Gift Officer), Pete Meyer (Florida Southern,
baseball Head Coach / Athletic Director), Stephanie Quinones (Nova Southeastern, women's soccer), Francis X. Reidy (Saint Leo, Vice President / Athletic Director), Daniel Stapf (Barry, men's golf), Carolyn Stone (Palm Beach Atlantic, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics), and Ronald L. Vaughn (Tampa, University President).
The SSC Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the league. Its purpose is to perpetuate the memory of those who brought distinction, honor, and excellence to the league. Conference officials selected a charter class in 1992, with 21 individuals honored. The 2025 class brings the number of SSC Hall of Fame inductees to 223.
Tickets are available for the SSC Hall of Fame Brunch and Celebration on October 4 in Miami Shores. Event space is limited, and you must purchase no later than Friday, September 19. If you are interested in celebrating the SSC's 25th Hall of Fame Class, email Maryanne Simkulak, Sunshine State Conference Senior Associate Commissioner, for more information.
