Winner, humble, classy and two-time Hall of Famer.

Mitch Hannahs is all of the above.

The Skyvue High legend has been successful in every athletic endeavor he has ever undertaken. From his prep roots in Monroe County to now coaching Division I baseball, Hannahs epitomizes winning and doing so in the highest manner of sportsmanship.

The soft-spoken star authored a prep career of epic proportions. He helped lead the tiny school to the state tournament in both basketball and baseball.

Hannahs, now age 50, went on to script a Hall of Fame baseball career at Indiana State. Now he is enjoying great success as the Sycamores’ head baseball coach.

Earlier this month, Hannahs became the second winningest baseball coach in Indiana State annals. He was named the Sycamores’ boss in July of 2013, becoming the 29th head coach in program history.

Hannahs has guided the Trees to 144 wins.

“I think there might have only been three coaches in our program history, so I have some work to do,” Hannahs joked about his accomplishment. “My family and I have really enjoyed being back at Indiana State and in the Terre Haute community. It is a destination I always wanted to get back to, and fortunately the opportunity became a reality.”

Hannahs served as an assistant coach at Indiana State under legendary head coach Bob Warn, coaching the Sycamores from 1995-99 and again in 2001. He then became head coach at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill., for nine seasons where he led the Statesmen to Region 24 titles in 2005 and 2007, and the Great Rivers Athletic Conference championship in 2006 and 2007.

His playing days at Indiana State were nothing but star-studded.

A four-year letterwinner from 1986-89, Hannahs finished his career on the diamond with a .376 batting average, 274 hits, 34 doubles, 23 triples, 11 home runs, 220 runs scored, 138 runs batted in and 77 stolen bases. An American Baseball Coaches Association and Baseball America All-American in 1989, Hannahs led the team with a .428 batting average, 101 hits and 76 runs scored in his senior season as the Sycamores claimed the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship.

It came as no surprise that Hannahs was inducted into the 19th Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. After his stellar ISU career, he was a 16th round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, playing in their farm system from 1989-93.

“I reflect often on our accomplishments at Skyvue and growing up in Southeast Ohio. The people resonate, mostly — family, friends and teammates — brother Mike, Hamilton, Hartshorn, Ackerman, Hilverding, Kilburn, Leasure, Bettinger, Haney, Hogue, Christy, Bartenschlag, Winland, Scott, Guiler, Siers, Williams, Biedenbach, Christman, Devitis, Antill, Pfalzgraf, Robertson, Kinney, Conner, McCloud, and our manager Davey Hayes. Coaches Huffman, Krstich, Eddy, Bayes,” Hannahs said when asked what still resonates with him from his Skyvue days. “I am very thankful that all of our players sacrificed for the good of the team, and because of that sacrifice, we have great memories today.”

When asked how it felt to be in Indiana State and OVAC Halls of Fame?

Hannahs simply replied, “Old.”

BUBBA’S BITS

KUDOS TO all those involved in last Sunday’s dedication ceremonies at the Bellaire High baseball field in Neffs. The Big Reds now have a true diamond home and it is a real gem, undoubtedly one of the nicest baseball fields in the OVAC. It was heartwarming to see Big Reds’ legend Ed Burgy toss out the ceremonial first pitch. Much credit must go to Bellaire BOE member and former Burgy teammate Jim Thoburn for all the work he did to make the day and field first class. In a side note, Burgy and Thoburn some 50 years ago help pitch their Bellaire Bronco League All-Star Team all the way to Massachusetts, falling one win short of advancing to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

WHEELING CENTRAL is making a prudent move in re-instituting its wrestling program. The Maroon Knights are thriving in all sports and also boast a rich mat tradition. David Doyle was an ideal pick to lead the Maroon mat rebirth.

THE OHIO Valley Football Coaches Association will hold its Recruiting Night on Wednesday, May 2 beginning at 6 p.m. at Generations in Wheeling. All high school and college grid coaches are invited. Cost is $10 for high school coach and $30 for colleges. Coaches are asked to bring player profiles. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call either Reno Saccoccia (740-283-8974) or Mike Young (304-312-9125).

THE CANCER Research Classic has carved its niche as one of the premier prep basketball events in the nation. CRC founder, director and crusader Dr. Gregory Merrick is making a move to take the hoop extravaganza to another level by switching the venue to WesBanco Arena. The CRC is so popular that is just outgrew its Wheeling Jesuit University home for the first 11 years. WesBanco Arena provides at least 2,000 extra seats and more convenient parking. Dr. Merrick made a slam-dunk decision with the switch.

YOU HAVE to feel good about Logan Routt. The Cameron High grad opted to take his elongated frame to WVU as an walk-on hoop candidate. The 6-11 sophomore earned a scholarship this season, a campaign in which he was named “Team Man” and Most Improved Player at last week’s Mountaineers’ basketball awards dinner. Logan is a case study in hard work, determination and character.

THE CLEVELAND brass is taking heat for picking Baker Mayfield with the top pick in the NFL Draft. I love the selection. Mayfield has the skill set to be a top-flight pro WB while his brashness will be infectious on a don-trodden roster. I also give the Steelers a thumbs up for taking Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph to groom as the heir apparent to Big Ben.