Rollins College will commemorate the 130th anniversary of its prominent baseball program during the upcoming Alumni Weekend with a sequence of events that pay tribute to its rich history and notable future.
Rollins Tars Baseball played its first intercollegiate game against Stetson University in 1895, defeating Stetson 11-10. That season, Rex Beach served as the team captain. However, in 1917, during World War I, the team was disassembled, with official notification of cancellation received on April 14, 1917. Once the program resumed, the Tars won the Florida Intercollegiate Baseball Championship. In 1954, under the coaching of Joe Justice, Rollins became the smallest school in history to play for a national title, finishing as runners-up in the College World Series.
Bob Rikeman became the fourth head coach of the Tars in 1995, reaching his 100th career win by the 1997 season. In 2022, Rollins finished with a 43-17 record, advancing to the NCAA Division II College World Series. This set the team at the second highest total for wins in a single season. This created milestones for the Tars as this was also their first trip to the World Series since 2004. Building on this legacy, Rollins will honor the baseball program’s past and future representatives through a series of events during Alumni Weekend.
The celebration will start off with an affinity reunion for Rollins Baseball, spotlighting the induction of two distinguished members into the Sports Hall of Fame. Attendees can also explore a special exhibit celebrating the program’s 130-year legacy at the Winter Park History Museum. The exhibit will be open on March 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This limited-time display offers a glimpse into the moments and figures that have shaped Rollins Baseball.
Thursday, March 27 will conclude with the Sports Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Alfond Inn. This event will honor the 2025 inductees, including Gene Howard and Bob Rikeman of Rollins Baseball, as well as others from differing sports. The evening will celebrate their significant contributions to Rollins Athletics. A fee of $85 per person applies as well as required prior registration.
The Rollins Hall of Fame website states, “Rikeman served as head coach of the baseball team from 1995-2005. In his eleven seasons, he amassed 350 wins and 249 losses for a winning percentage of 0.584.”
The website also stated, “Howard holds the school record for batting average in a season (.426, 2008), has the third-most hits in a season (95, 2008), and ranks in the top 10 in program history in career batting average.”
On Friday, March 28 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., at Alfond Stadium at Harper-Shepherd Field (340 Aragon Avenue, Winter Park), attendees can join Rollins Athletics for a champagne toast honoring the baseball program’s 130-year legacy. Following the toast, there will be tours of the newly dedicated Brennen Bennett ‘20 Baseball Locker Room, providing all alumni and guests an inside look at the facilities that support current and future Tars.
These events celebrate past achievements of Rollins Baseball and the strong community that continues to define the future. For details on other Alumni Weekend events, visit Rollins Alumni Weekend Schedule.
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