Santa Ana College Dedicates Baseball Field in Honor of Don Sneddon

SANTA ANA, CA - Santa Ana College (SAC) officially dedicated its baseball field in honor of Head Coach Don Sneddon, naming it Don Sneddon Field after the all-time winningest coach in California Community College baseball history.

The ceremony, held just in front of home plate, was led by Avie Bridges, Dean of Exercise Science, Health and Athletics. Bridges was followed by SAC president, Erlinda Martinez before former coaches Roger Wilson and Jim Reach shared stories of their time as head coach along with congratulations to Sneddon.

Ken Purcell, chairman of the SAC Athletic Hall of Fame, spoke on behalf of the Athletic Hall of Fame after it donated funds to purchase the new baseball scoreboard in left-centerfield. The new red and white scoreboard displays "Don Sneddon Field" and had Sneddon's record posted for the ceremony.

President Martinez, joined by Rancho Santiago Community College District Board of Trustees John Hanna and Mark McLoughlin, then officially dedicated the field Don Sneddon Field.

After a brief congratulations from State Senator Lou Correa, Sneddon accepted the honor and provided several stories of his time as the skipper of the Dons baseball team.

Among those in attendance for the ceremony were current and former players, Snedon's coaching staff, several members of the Santa Ana College athletic department as well as Wally Kincaid, Sneddon's head coach when he played at Cerritos College.

Sneddon is currently in his 30th season as head coach of the SAC baseball program, compiling a 994-351-3 record while winning 15 conference championships and three state titles. Sneddon moved into first place on the all-time wins list on March 21, 2006 when the Dons defeated Riverside College 2-1. Sneddon passed Sacramento City College's Jerry Weinstein who retired with an 831-208-12 record.

Since then, Sneddon became the first coach to reach 900 wins with the Dons 4-1 win at San Diego Mesa College on March 14, 2008 and is in position to surpass the 1,000 wins plateau this season.

During his storied career, Sneddon has helped 205 players receive scholarships to four-year universities with another 105 players signing professional contracts. Sneddon has also had 52 players named All-America with countless players receiving all-conference honors.