MACON, Ga. – Mercer University head baseball coach Craig Gibson will be one of eight individuals inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame on May 7, as the organization’s board of directors announced the 2015 class this afternoon.

A two-time state champion at Macon’s River North Academy under the direction of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball legend Bobby Hendley, Gibson went on to star for the Bears from 1982-86. The hard-hitting first baseman earned Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year honors in 1985 and led Mercer to a pair of league titles. He still ranks among the program’s single-season leaders in batting average, doubles, home runs, RBIs and total bases.

After serving as an assistant coach for Bears great Barry Myers following his playing career, Gibson was elevated to head coach in 2004. The move proved to be a big step for Mercer baseball, as Gibson has taken the program to new heights in his 12 years at the helm.

A 2009 inductee into the Mercer Athletics Hall of Fame, Gibson has racked up 365 victories and two conference crowns while leading the program to its first two NCAA tournament berths in 2010 and 2013. Currently, Gibson has the Bears in the midst of their most successful stretch in program history, as they are one of four teams in the country to reach the 38-win plateau in each of the past five seasons.

The program’s success has also reaped several major individual honors during Gibson’s tenure. A total of 16 players under his tutelage have been drafted since 2006, including MLB standouts Billy Burns and Cory Gearrin. The Bears have also had four All-Americans and 37 all-conference performers during that time.

Gibson is joined by Rodney Collins, Joe DuPree, Gene McClure, Chad McDaniel, Lewis “Bubber” Linda, Ron Wallace and Ann McBrearty Wright in Macon’s 2015 class.

Tickets for the induction ceremony are $25 and can be purchased through Five Star Automotive’s Bobby Cramer (478-474-3700).