Bio

The 1998 Cowley College baseball team remains one of the most dominant teams to ever come through the Tiger program.

After starting the season with a record of 4-6, Cowley would go on to win 50 of its next 53 games as they finished the year with a record of 54-9, were Jayhawk East champs, Region VI champs, and capped the season by becoming back-to-back national champs.

Dave Burroughs, who was the head coach of the back-to-back JUCO World Series Champs, looks back fondly on the thrilling ride to the 1998 title.

“From where the season started to where it finished is very impressive,” Dave Burroughs said. “What made it so impressive to me was starting the season ranked No. 1 and finishing the season ranked No. 1.”

The Tigers accomplished a program first that has yet to be repeated as they went 34-0 in the Jayhawk East and captured a second straight region title.

“We knew what to expect at the JUCO World Series after being there for the first time in 1997,” Dave Burroughs said. “All that team needed was an incentive. Josh McMillen and Sam Scott were our leaders, and the team took on the personalities of the guys coaching the team.”

Two members of the 1998 team, Sam Scott and Josh McMillen, have been inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame as individuals. Braden Dimick, Travis Hughes, Clayton Soule, Kyle Holland, Casey Eckstein, Lucas Hocker, and McMillen were inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame along with the 1997 national championship team.

Dave Burroughs, the head coach of the 1998 title-winning team, was previously inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame along with Tiger assistant coaches Darren Burroughs and Scott Hennessey.

“Lefty, Henny, and I all had the same goal of winning a title and meshed together perfectly,” Dave Burroughs said. “People said we couldn’t win a JUCO World Series title in the state of Kansas, so we were all driven to prove them wrong. We had a lot of people on that team that were driven and that bought into our philosophy. They worked hard and had the same dream we had, making that team so special.”

Josh McMillen, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1998 JUCO World Series held in Grand Junction, CO, was proud to be a part of the ’98 squad.

“Camaraderie was the biggest reason for our success,” McMillen said. “We had one goal in mind: making it to Grand Junction.”

The 1998 team scored 64 runs in five games at the JUCO World Series, scoring 15 in a 15-11 victory over San Jacinto in the title game.

“What made it awesome was our folks were there,” Dave Burroughs said. “To be able to enjoy that with our family and the people we met out there was incredible.”

Other Tigers on the 1998 national title-winning team were Keith Walters, Jason Patty, Bradley Smith, Roy York, Steve Jennings, Luke Pfannenstiel, Aaron Robbins, Justin Dansby, Travis Parker, Jeff Spitler, John Hutchens, Scott Moore, Matt Rutledge, Eli Goodell, Steve Goodson, Eric Barnhardt, and Jeff Freeman.

“The young guys on that team progressed well beyond our expectations,” Darren Burroughs said.

According to Dave Burroughs, it is hard to describe what the 1998 team means to him. “What a ride it was,” Dave Burroughs said. “I hope they soak this all in and realize how special it is to be in the Hall of Fame,” Darren Burroughs said. “It’s so deserving. These guys are a part of our family, and I am excited for them. I was proud to share the uniform with them.”