Bio

It took Cowley College head baseball coach Dave Burroughs just a few pitches to know the young man he was watching pitch was special.

Burroughs, who has won over 900 games at Cowley knows when he sees a player he likes and that fall day in 1994 he saw a dominant pitcher in Chris Brown. Brown would go on to establish himself as one of the best pitchers to ever toe the rubber for the Tigers and was recognized as such with the recent announcement that he will be one of three former Cowley College athletes inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

Brown grew up in McCook, NE, and had to play baseball for an American Legion team since his high school did not have a baseball program.Brown dominated in his final season with the Legion team and helped the squad win the state championship. For the season, Brown went 8-1 with eight saves and an earned run average of 0.70. Brown also struck out 120 batters in 60 innings.Burroughs learned of Brown through a professional baseball scout, who watched Brown pitch in an American Legion baseball tournament.

Burroughs’ brother, Darren, assistant coach for the Tigers, started recruiting Brown and had the pitcher make a visit to the Cowley College campus.

“We had him throw for us and he was as good as advertised,” Dave Burroughs said. “After about five throws I had seen enough. It wasn’t long after that we drove down to McCook (NE) to sign him.”

After a visit to Cowley, Brown knew the school was the right place for him.

“Dave and Darren were honest from the start and took the time to treat me like I was wanted,” Brown said. “I knew from the start what to expect from both of them. Thankfully they never changed. They were the same people the entire time I was here.”

While pitching out of the bullpen as a freshman, Brown entered a game against Neosho County with the Tigers trailing 7-0. He struck out the side in back-to-back innings and Cowley rallied for the win. After the eye-popping relief outing, Brown was moved into the starting rotation, where he became one of the most dominant pitchers in the program’s history.

Brown, who played at Cowley during the 1995 and 1996 seasons, had a devastating slider and still holds the school record for strikeouts in a season (105), strikeouts in a career (190), and most consecutive strikeouts in a game (seven). He was the first Tiger baseball player to earn All-American honors as he was named a First-Team All-American in 1996.

“His will to win was as strong as anybody I have been around,” Burroughs said. “To go along with his outstanding stuff on the mound, he was a great competitor.”

Brown felt the Burroughs’ brothers coaching style, which preaches hard work and accountability, was the best thing for him as a player.

“God knew what he was doing, he knew I needed to play for Dave and Darren Burroughs,” Brown said. “There was just no better fit for me anywhere.”

Brown also praised his Tiger teammates for his success.“It certainly helps to have great players playing behind you as a pitcher and I had a great team playing behind me,” Brown said. “I never had a moment at Cowley when I thought there was someone on my team who didn't want the same things I did.”

Brown helped Cowley win back-to-back Jayhawk East titles and win 92 games in two seasons before graduating from the school with an Associate of Arts degree. He went 7-2 with a 1.41 ERA as a freshman before going 12-2 with a 1.43 ERA as a sophomore.Along with the times he had with his teammates on the field, Brown equally enjoyed the art classes at Cowley and the time he spent on his artwork such as the mural he did in the basketball locker room. 

“I grew more in my two years at Cowley than any other time in my life,” Brown said. “I can't thank the people who came into my life during those two years enough.”Brown went on to play at Northwestern State University and eventually signed a professional contract with the Chicago Cubs.While at Northwestern State University Brown was a part of back-to-back Southland Conference Championships as the team won 79 games over his two years at the school.As a junior, he went 7-6 with a 3.63 ERA, while setting the school record for single season strikeouts with 110. As a senior, Brown went 6-3 with a 4.36 ERA.

After his senior season at Northwestern State, the Chicago Cubs selected him in the Major League Baseball draft. Brown played professionally for six years and was a minor league pitching coach for one season.Brown was proud to have been a part of Tiger baseball teams that helped set the stage for the national championship teams in 1997 and 1998.

“Our teams played a part in the progression and helped get the needed players to come to the school,” Brown said. “Obviously the players and coaches on those championship teams did the other 98% of the job. I'm a Tiger; my Tiger family won two national titles. Anyone who ever had a part in the program should be proud.”

Dave Burroughs, who was inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010, is looking forward to having Brown join Josh McMillen, Travis Hafner, and Junior Spivey as former players of his to be inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame.

“You knew what you were going to get from him everyday,” Burroughs said. “What he did and helped do was set a foundation for Tiger baseball. I am extremely tickled for him, it is an honor he deserves.”

Brown and his wife, Paula, reside in Mission, TX. Brown has taught high school art for 10 years and is a baseball coach at Sharyland High School. He has a connection to another Hall of Fame as well. In 2009 he became the artist for The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, where he does the portraits of the inductees to be hung in the Museum in Natchitoches, LA.

This time, it will be Brown who will be displayed on the plaque that will adorn the wall inside the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame room.

“I am truly honored to be recognized for how I played the game,” Brown said. “I'm humbled to be joining such great Tiger athletes and coaches in the Hall of Fame. I hope my teammates are also proud because my success was a result of the team's success and I represent them in the Hall.”