Rocky Mount, NC - N.C. Wesleyan University will honor the 1981 and 1982 baseball teams at the Foundations of Excellence celebration on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Bauer Field. This special event will recognize the historic achievements of the program's first World Series teams, whose success laid the foundation for the two national titles won by the Bishops in 1989 and 1999.
The celebration will include live music, food trucks, carnival attractions, and an alumni hospitality tent. Alumni are encouraged to join in celebrating these landmark teams and the individuals who helped establish N.C. Wesleyan baseball as a national contender. This event will also serve as an opportunity to remember the late Coach Tony Guzzo, who led the 1981 and 1982 teams to their first NCAA Division III World Series appearances.
The 1981 Team: The Foundation of National Contention
The 1981 N.C. Wesleyan baseball team was a groundbreaking squad, earning the program's first-ever NCAA Division III World Series appearance.
One of the standout players on the 1981 team was Greg Clark, a Hall of Famer and one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of N.C. Wesleyan. Clark made history as the program's first All-American and set the NCAA Division III record for career stolen bases with an impressive 202 steals—a record that still stands today. His .918 stolen base percentage ranked 7th nationally at the time of his Hall of Fame induction.
Clark's career accomplishments include:
- 1981 AACBC Baseball All-American
- 1981 NCAA Regional Tournament Most Valuable Player
- 1982 Regional & World Series All-Tournament Team
- 1982 Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year
- 4-time All-Conference Selection
- 2-time All-District Honoree
- NCWU Male Athlete of the Year (1981 & 1982)
Clark's #3 jersey was retired at the conclusion of his career. After graduating in 1982, Clark went on to play in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization before returning to the area to begin a 30-year career as a teacher and coach in the Nash-Rocky Mount school system. His wife, Lisa, is also a Wesleyan alum, and their son, Tyler, followed in Greg's footsteps to play for the Battling Bishops Baseball program. Clark returned to N.C. Wesleyan in 2012 as head coach of the junior varsity squad, and in 2013, he was inducted into the USA South Hall of Fame.
The 1982 Team: Building Upon a Legacy
The 1982 team built upon the foundation set by the 1981 squad, solidifying N.C. Wesleyan's place among the nation's top programs. Like the previous year, the team made another appearance at the NCAA Division III World Series, finishing in 4th place. Under Coach Tony Guzzo's leadership, the team captured its second consecutive DIAC regular-season title and South Region Championship. The team's success helped to establish N.C. Wesleyan as a perennial contender and set the stage for future triumphs, including the program's national titles in 1989 and 1999.
Coach Guzzo's leadership during these early years played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the program. His achievements include:
- 1979 – Led the team to a program-best 18 wins in his first season.
- 1980 – Achieved the program's first-ever winning season with a 22-19 record.
- 1981 – Led the team to its first regular-season league title and NCAA tournament appearance, capturing the South Region Championship and finishing 4th in the World Series.
- 1982 – Guided the team to a second consecutive regular-season title, South Region Championship, and a 4th-place finish at the World Series. The team was ranked #1 nationally by Collegiate Baseball.
Coach Guzzo was recognized as District Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year and was a two-time finalist for Division III National Coach of the Year. His 102 wins at N.C. Wesleyan set the stage for the program's continued success in the years to come.
Remembering Coach Tony Guzzo
Coach Tony Guzzo's influence on the N.C. Wesleyan baseball program is immeasurable. Following his time at N.C. Wesleyan, Guzzo went on to coach at Virginia Commonwealth University and Old Dominion University, where he mentored MLB All-Star Justin Verlander. He later served as an area scout for the Boston Red Sox, earning a World Series ring in 2007. Guzzo's legacy continues to inspire future generations of N.C. Wesleyan athletes, and the success of the 1981 and 1982 teams was the cornerstone upon which the program's two national championships in 1989 and 1999 were built.
Join Us for the Foundations of Excellence Celebration
The Foundations of Excellence celebration will take place at Bauer Field on Friday, March 21, 2025, and is open to all alumni, fans, and supporters of N.C. Wesleyan Baseball. The event promises to be a memorable day, full of fun, nostalgia, and celebration of the historic achievements of the 1981 and 1982 teams.
To RSVP for the event or for more information, please contact Mike Armbruster at marmbruster@ncwu.edu or call (574) 518-1910.
