Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Michael Steve started at shortstop all four seasons of his IUP career, which coincided with some of the most successful years in the school’s baseball history to that point.

Steve jumped into the starting lineup in 1964 not long after graduating from Penns Manor High School, which didn’t even have a baseball program. He finished second on the team in hits and RBIs as coach Owens Dougherty’s Indians, as they were then known, finished 15-8 to set a single-season school record for victories. IUP won the NAIA District 30 title and advanced to the Area 8 tournament, coming within a game of qualifying for the NAIA national tourney.

Steve led the Indians in batting a year later with a .325 average, and again paced IUP in 1966, ripping the ball at a .346 clip. He earned NAIA District 18 all-star honors both seasons. The 1966 team won 14 consecutive games in one torrid stretch and finished 16-5 to establish a school record for victories.

Dougherty’s team matched that record a year later (16-10) as Steve led the Indians in hits (25) and finished second in RBIs and home runs. IUP captured the District 18 championship and won its first two games in the Area 8 playoffs before suffering defeats to unbeaten Glassboro State (N.J.) and Fairmont State (W.Va.) in the double-elimination tournament.

Steve, who finished with a .311 career batting average, served as an IUP co-captain his junior and senior seasons, and helped lead the Indians to a 61-32 record and two district championships during his time in uniform.
He earned his BS degree in education in 1967 and a master’s in education in 1973, both from IUP.

Steve taught math for 34 years at Hempfield Area High School, where he also served as a guidance counselor and head baseball coach. He has worn a whistle as an official for more than 50 years, working everything from high school girls’ and boys’ basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball to college softball.

Steve and his wife, Nancy, reside in Clymer. They have three children—Michele, Michael and Matthew—and six grandchildren.
 

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Personal Reflection

First, I would like to thank the selection committee for choosing me for this honor. My journey to achieve this honor is interesting.

I grew up in the small town of Clymer and attended Penns Manor High School. I participated in the Clymer Little League program for several years. Two events stand out. First, at age 12, I pitched a perfect game. And second, I participated in an all-star game against a team who had as a pitcher Rod Ruddock, who is a member of the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame. After a 0-0 score for 17 innings, Clymer won 3-0. Both Rod and I pitched nine innings in the game.

I realized then that I had good baseball ability and was a good hitter. But after that there was no baseball for me to play since our high school did not have a baseball program and there was no American Legion program. But at 17, I was able to join a men’s local baseball team and played second base.

Upon starting my freshman year at Indiana State Teachers College, I decided to try out for the baseball team. The coach for the fall team was Herm Sledzik. I participated in some fall games at third base and hit the ball pretty well. But when the spring season arrived, I was surprisingly put in the shortstop position, which I held for four years. I owe so much to coach Owen Dougherty and coach Herm Sledzik for believing that I could be successful at that position.

Also, it meant a lot to be named co-captain my junior and senior years. I want to thank the great bunch of guys on the team who welcomed me as an incoming freshman and made the game so much fun and memorable. Team members my other three years were also great to work with.

One situation stands out. It occurred during a game at West Virginia University my sophomore year. On an attempt to complete a double play, I was upended by a WVU baserunner. I injured my ankle and had to leave the game. That same baserunner, in attempting to score from third, tried to forcefully cause our catcher, Rick Dahlgren, to drop the ball. However, Rick held on and no run scored. Our team cheered and my ankle felt a lot better. We wouldn’t be intimidated.

Coach Dougherty added an incentive for us to win both games of a doubleheader. It seemed on long road trips that we often stopped at A+ restaurants when we won both games. Splitting a DH meant eating at a fast-food place. The team got the message, and we often won both games. I also participated in a game in which we executed a triple play.

I did get to play a game at Forbes Field on the same diamond as Dick Groat, Honus Wagner and other great players. It was quite a thrill and honor.

I want to thank the staff at Indiana State Teachers College for providing me a great education which enabled me to spend 34 years as a math instructor and two years as a guidance counselor at Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg. While at Hempfield, I was the head baseball coach for several years.

After having coached for a few years, I realized that I especially enjoyed officiating various high school sports. So for the past 56 years I have officiated high school basketball, baseball, girls’ softball and volleyball as well as college women’s softball. Upon retirement from teaching, I am not only officiating but find time during the good weather months to play a few rounds of golf per week.

Also, my wife, Nancy, and I have traveled to various countries overseas as well as places in the United States. We also have had the opportunity to watch grandchildren in their activities and enjoy vacationing with them.