Under normal circumstances, the middle of April is filled with the sounds of baseball. High school, college and professional. The biggest obstacle facing baseball in the spring is usually rain or freezing temperatures.
Nothing is normal in 2020, though, and the national pastime — along with every other sport — is gone. For apparent financial reasons that are beyond my understanding, the NBA and NHL refuse to publicly cancel their seasons. But they’re probably finished, too.
For anyone involved in sports — whether it’s fans, reporters, coaches or players — all we have now are memories.
It was at that moment I realized sports have no present. I accepted the fact that sports have no foreseeable future. Sports are now in the past, at least until the pandemic’s invisible but deadly terror is crushed. Memories are all we have.
That’s when I glanced at the outfield. I remembered the likeness of the gentleman NKU’s baseball facility is named after that was once displayed on the outfield fence. The late Bill Aker.
Despite the gloom hovering above Highland Heights, I chuckled while recalling several of his famous “Aker-isms.” Only those who either worked with the iconic NKU baseball coach or played under him could actually appreciate an “Aker-ism.” How could you not enjoy this line?
“A grand slam isn’t better than a three-run homer unless four runs score.”
Just try to dispute those facts.
In all seriousness, Aker built NKU into a powerhouse during the 1970s and ‘80s. He actually founded the program in 1971 and remained head coach until his retirement in 2000. Aker finished with 807 career victories and led NKU to a pair of World Series appearances (1979 NCAA Division II, 1985 NAIA) during his 29 years as head coach.
Only a few of us probably remember, but Aker almost guided NKU to a third World Series berth. The Norsemen were one pitch away, in fact, from advancing to the 1989 NCAA Division II World Series.
It happened in May of 1989, just a few weeks after the legendary head coach collected his 500th victory during a doubleheader sweep of local rival Thomas More. Aker was doused with pop and presented a gigantic cake to celebrate his 500th win on April 20, 1989.
The Norsemen outscored Thomas More 32-4 during that sweep at NKU’s Friendship Field, winning the opener by a 21-2 margin and capping the afternoon with an 11-2 triumph. Aker’s Norsemen were in the midst of an incredible 21-game winning streak to end the regular season.
On May 7, 1989, NKU took a 4-3 lead into the ninth inning against Armstrong State. The Pirates managed to get a pair of runners on base but were down to their final strike. The public address announcer even requested that NKU fans remain off the field after the final out.
A crushing line-drive triple later, Armstrong State had rallied for a 5-4 win to stave off elimination. In the winner-take-all game that followed, the Pirates used the momentum from the opener to post an 18-2 victory over shell-shocked NKU and earn the World Series berth.
NKU finished with a 45-9 record. Four of those losses occurred in the postseason. Two other setbacks in the regular season were by one run. The Norsemen outscored their foes 373-160 in 1989 and hit .354 as a team.
The NKU pitching staff included Ken Schmahl (7-0 record, 1.87 ERA), Joe Renner (4-1 record, five saves) and future Major Leaguer Chris Hook (3-2 record). The offense featured All-American Bryan Jackson, who finished with a .439 batting average, 52 runs scored and 44 RBI.
Arguably, it was the best NKU baseball squad in program history.
Without question, it was the most devastated group of Norsemen in team history. That included Aker, who would coach 11 more years before retiring. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 71.
Aker made baseball an enjoyable experience for many of us with his unique sense of humor. It’s difficult to believe 20 years have passed since his final game as NKU head coach. Aker wouldn’t believe what’s going on during this very forgettable April.
There is no baseball across the nation. The fields are deserted. The stands are empty. The dugouts are vacant. And the silence engulfing every campus is frightening.
Thankfully, we still have memories of guys like Bill Aker as we attempt to navigate through these challenging times.
Bill Aker was not only a great coach, but was a loyal friend and would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed his help.
Truly miss seeing him and always put a smile on my face.
Thanks for the memory
Matt Shank
Marketing professor and chair. 1990-2007
There aren’t enough words to describe Coach. I’m truly blessed to have had him as a coach, boss, mentor and most of all a friend. It has always been and always will be HIS program. I was just blessed to follow in his footsteps. I think about him everyday and everyday that thought makes me smile.
Bill Aker was a very special Coach and loyal friend. Akes was truly loved his players and fellow coaches.
As the season began in 1972 bats cracked looking around you could just imagine that a legend was about to embark on this baseball field having spent yrs in baseball .the impact bill had on people would last lifetime i always felt honored just to listen there were were icons in baseball he was in league of his own ,we would laugh talk baseball yr after year nku was bill his home he build it transformed was his words were all friend let’s call it friendly field yrs later as y look across field your dreams surfaced to that day moment today his impact has brighened us all big leagues scouts executives around the world to Africa that’s how young coach transformed a pile dirt into a colusium today we get for a moment thank him and yes we all remember his smile
Great article about a Great Man! So many amazing memories remain about Coach Aker! He truly cared about his players, friends and loved ones! As someone who played on that great 1989 team, the sting of the tourney loss still remains but we were blessed to share so many wonderful stories with this great man and especially his Aker-isms! Miss you Coach! God Bless!
Coach Aker was like a father to Ryan and we have the best memories of Coach. He was so kind to both of us and we miss him dearly.
Mr Owen thanks for your info Steve Morris father and bill were the two people build field early days look around there was chicken wire fence railroad ties still there i can’t imagine where baseball went without them dougouts all their creation dirt brick AstroTurf no light friendly stands yes thousands games later it’s a museum of baseball
Who doesn’t enjoy coach’s stories few yrs before bills retiring i ask as he discussed his plans there were many , yes as we know Todd was going be his successor , make no mistake it was the right choice , having been bills first last game i just was amazed that he brought success and intergity to you as has Todd budget s were often tight till we took off division one then level jumped i seriously doubt anyone has packed up the boys flew More than our nku team , yet i have never beenmore proud to acknolege how they all have brought digity day in and out i salute each past present buck buchanan
Dignity correction
Bryon got phone call from Steve Demeter yrs ago asking me to find you took number phone calls.as it goes position was filled that quick i am convinced that your talent would got you to big leagues thought pass this along buck buchanan