Roanoke Times Article
Radford, VA - - - Radford baseball coach Joe Raccuia will be enshrined into the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame on Thursday, January 31 at the Salem Civic Center.
Umpire Ernie Bradd, former Virginia Tech infielder Jay Phillips and Franklin County High School coach Barry Shelton have also been selected this year. Additionally, Michael Deneka has been selected to receive the Wayne LaPierre award for contributions to the game.
"Being inducted into the Salem-Roanoke Hall of Fame is more of an honor for Radford University Baseball than it is for me," Raccuia stated. "This is a reflection of people around the program committing to our success, specifically the support of our administrators, the local community and the wonderful coaches that have come through the program over the years. Things like this don't happen unless people above me want them to happen."
"I have also had the privilege to coach some really special people that have helped build, sustain and take our program to heights that have never been seen here before," he added.
Raccuia, a 1995 Radford graduate, returned to his roots on July 10, 2007 when he was named the fifth head coach in Highlander baseball history. In 2018, Raccuia became the fourth coach in Big South history to win 300 games in a career and is now just seven wins shy of moving into third-place on the all-time Big South list.
Raccuia's most successful season at Radford came during a historic 2015 campaign as the Highlanders finished with a 45-16 record, setting a new school record in wins. The season also saw the programs first Big South regular season and conference championships, while earning a trip to the NCAA Nashville Regional.
Raccuia has oversaw 12 players drafted in the MLB First Year Player Draft, with four players signing non-drafted free agent contracts. Two of his players, Eddie Butler (Colorado Rockies) and Ryan Meisinger (Baltimore Orioles), are currently in the big leagues.
Before returning to Radford, the Buffalo, N.Y. native spent two seasons as Alabama's recruiting coordinator and hitting instructor. The team won the 2006 SEC Championship and four players went on to the majors.
Raccuia's stint with the Crimson Tide came after spending two seasons as the head coach at Marist College. He compiled a 58-51 record with the Red Foxes, including a 39-15 record in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. He was named the 2005 MAAC Co-Coach of the Year and led the Red Foxes to a berth in the 2005 Baton Rouge Regional.
Raccuia owns a combined .655 winning percentage (190-136) in Big South & MAAC conference contests.
"The New River Valley is my home," Raccuia said. "I am extremely honored that this community recognized the achievements of our program."
