Troy University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2018
The all-time winningest coach in Troy baseball history, Bobby Pierce led Troy to four conference titles and four NCAA Regional appearances, while his players earned numerous All-America, all-conference and NCAA statistical champion awards.
“I spent 13 really, really great years with him,” Troy head baseball coach Mark Smartt said.
“I am forever grateful to him for not only giving me an opportunity to come back to Troy and work for him, but the opportunity to learn and grow underneath his leadership. He’s easily one of the best people that I’ve been around on a daily basis.”
In his time at Troy, Pierce coached 15 All-Americans and had 28 players sign professional contracts. He also coached 42 all-conference selections, four Pitchers of the Year (2005, 2006, 2011, 2013), two Players of the Year (2005, 2011), one Newcomer of the Year (2007) and two Freshmen of the Year (2009 & 2014) while amassing 450 wins passing legendary Troy head coach Chase Riddle (434).
“I can say without reservation that he shared many characteristics with Coach Riddle,” Smartt said.
“They both had the unique ability to get the best out of every player, whatever that best was. They both had the ability to make great in-game decisions that affected the game in a positive way. Players had a desire to give their best for Coach Pierce, they had a desire to compete at the highest level for him.”
Smartt fondly remembers a game when Pierce’s intuition and in-game decision-making abilities were put on full display.
In an Atlantic Sun game in 2005, Troy trailed Central Florida, 5-4, heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Third baseman Jared Keel stepped into the box with a runner on first and no one out.
“It was a textbook sacrifice bunt scenario,” Smatt recalls. “I was dead set on giving the bunt sign as soon as Keel stepped in the box. I look over into the dugout at Coach Pierce and he’s not giving me anything. So, Keel takes a strike. I look over again … nothing.”
Keel took another strike and found himself in an 0-2 hole. Keel served the next pitch over the wall in left field lifting the Trojans to a 6-5 victory. Smartt sought council on the situation after the game.
“I went into his office and asked him about the at-bat,” Smartt said. “It was a clear bunt situation, I just wanted to know what his thoughts were.”
Pierce stated simply: “I just had a gut feeling. I felt like the moment was right for him.”
“It could have played out differently, but it didn’t.” Smartt said. “Coach Pierce had belief in the kid and he came through. That’s just one of many examples of his ability to make decisions and put us in a position to win games.”
Pierce’s teams posted a grade-point-average of 3.0 or higher in nine of his 13 seasons and Troy student-athletes were named to the prestigious CoSIDA Academic All-America team on three different occasions. Troy led the nation in runs scored in 2006 and in doubles in 2013. For an unprecedented six straight seasons from 2004 to 2009, a Troy player was recognized as a statistical champion.
A member of the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Pierce retired in 2015 following his 13th season at the helm of the Troy program. Of the four NCAA Regionals that the Trojans played in under Pierce, the final one in 2013 might be the most memorable. Troy defeated Pierce’s alma mater, Alabama, twice, including a walk-off walk to eliminate the Crimson Tide and send Troy to the Regional Final against Florida State.
“People migrated toward him, they wanted to be around him,” Smartt said. “They wanted to play for him and excel for him. That’s a gift, it’s a trait and it’s really hard to recreate. That’s what makes him so special.”
