At the American Baseball Coaches Association Convention in Dallas, FCA Baseball honored UT-San Antonio head baseball coach Jason Marshall with this year’s Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award.

FCA Baseball presents the Kindall Award each year at the ABCA Convention to the college or high school baseball coach who best exemplifies the Christian principles of character, integrity, excellence, teamwork and service. 

“FCA congratulates Jason Marshall on this honor,” said FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson. “Coach Marshall has made remarkable impact on his players, and they will undoubtedly carry with them the lessons and insights their coach laid upon their hearts—both on and off the baseball diamond—for years to come. FCA is committed to honoring and recognizing deserving coaches who display the characteristics of godly leaders as they influence many through the sports they love.”

A veteran of the UTSA athletics department, Jason Marshall will enter his seventh season, 19th overall, as the Roadrunners’ skipper in 2019. He served as an assistant coach and then associate head coach for 12 seasons before being promoted. 

UTSA’s winningest baseball coach (by percentage), Marshall led the program to consecutive 30-plus win seasons in his first three years and has amassed a 149-138 (.519) career record. In his third season, Marshall became the fastest coach in program history to reach 100 wins. Since his arrival at UTSA, Marshall has seen 27 players selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft and another 12 sign as free agents.

The Abilene native and Texas A&M graduate has also mentored 14 first-teamers, 25 second-teamers and 18 third-team selections over 17 seasons. Off the field, Marshall also has seen a total of 25 players earn academic all-conference recognition.

The Roadrunners have posted the top-five fielding seasons under Marshall’s guidance and have set several individual team records during his time in the Alamo City, including hits, home runs, RBIs, doubles, assists and doubles plays.

A standout at Texas A&M from 1989-92, Marshall was named the Aggies’ Most Valuable Player after leading the team in games played, hits, runs scored and RBIs as a senior. Following his collegiate career, Marshall was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 13th round. He went on to play four seasons in the Royals organization before finishing his professional career in 1995. He entered coaching as a student assistant at his alma mater, coached with the Cotuit Kettleers in the prestigious Cape Cod League, and served as the assistant in charge of defense and recruiting at McMurry University.

Marshall and wife, Ashleigh, have two sons, Cooper and Jackson, and a daughter, Kate.

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The award’s namesake, Jerry Kindall, passed away on Christmas Eve 2017. The legendary coach and baseball standout was well-known and respected among his peers and those he coached over the years. He was the first person in NCAA history to win a baseball national championship as both a player and a coach. In addition to his three titles at the University of Arizona as a coach, Kindall played shortstop for the 1956 National Champion University of Minnesota team. 

Signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1956, Kindall went on to play eight seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Following his professional career, Kindall became the University of Arizona Wildcats head skipper from 1973-1996. He was Arizona’s all-time leader in career wins, finishing his coaching career with a record of 860-580-6. Kindall was a member of both the University of Minnesota and University of Arizona Halls of Fame, and was the recipient of the ABCA’s Prestigious Lefty Gomez Award in 1999 as well as a three-time national ABCA Coach of the Year.

Past Kindall Award winners include Lynn Carlson (2018), Rich Maloney (2017), Dan McDonnell (2016), Brian Shoop (2015), Ray Hughes (2014), Rusty Stroupe (2013), Scott Berry (2012), Victor “Bubba” Cates (2011), Dave Altopp (2010), Carroll Land (2009), Elliot Johnson (2008), Mark Johnson (2007) and Jerry Kindall (2006). To learn more about the Kindall Award, visit FCA Baseball.

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