CUMBERLAND — Former Allegany College baseball coach Steve Bazarnic was announced as one of the recipients of the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award earlier this month.
This year will be the first time in the near 90-year history of the NJCAA that coaches have been recognized.
The award celebrates the winningest coaches across junior college sports.
Nearly 200 coaches across 28 sports were nominated by colleges nationwide.
“Being able to recognize our coaches, past and present, is a wonderful thing for the NJCAA, our member institutions, the coaches, and their families,” NJCAA President and CEO Dr. Christopher Parker said in a press release. “We look forward to having many of these coaches come together for us to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the NJCAA later this year.”
Bazarnic has been inducted into several hall of fames including the Maryland Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991, the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996, and the NJCAA Region XX Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000.
Over 50 players went on to play professionally with John Kruk, Stan Belinda, Steve Kline, Scott Sebol, Joe Beimel and Scott Patterson reaching the major leagues.
Allegany College athletic director and men’s basketball head coach Tommie Reams played for Bazarnic.
“Coach Bazarnic has always been a mentor and a role model to me,” Reams said. “His dedication to the sport and his unwavering support for his players is something I admire deeply. The department is reminded of his many years of service every day, and his legacy continues to inspire us all. There is really no one more deserving of this kind of tenure.”
Bazarnic led the Trojans to nine appearances in the NJCAA World Series and finished his career with a 1,469-617 record across 48 seasons.
As of 2023, his 1,469 victories are the fourth-most in junior college baseball history.
In 2023, Allegany’s home field was renamed Steve Bazarnic Field.
“Coach Bazarnic is a legacy,” ACM baseball head coach Mason Heyne said. “Everyone knows him, everyone is always asking about him, and you can tell that his reach is wide. He makes an impact on more than baseball to all his former colleagues. It’s easy to tell how deserving he is.”
Bazarnic’s life is a story of dedication and passion for baseball and education.
Arriving in Cumberland in 1971 from State College, Pennsylvania, Bazarnic became Allegany College’s first baseball coach.
His commitment to the sport and his students was unwavering, as he not only coached but also taught hundreds of young adults and nontraditional students.
Bazarnic retired in 2019, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.
Bazarnic is deeply loved and respected at ACM, not only for his professional achievements but also for his genuine care and mentorship. His wife, Cathy, and their family have been a constant source of support throughout his career.
Bazarnic, along with the other recipients, will be recognized at a special luncheon on June 17, in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Hilton Charlotte University Place Hotel.
The luncheon will precede the 2025 NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards event, scheduled for later that day.