IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
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Nick Sudzina wielded a torrid bat during his four seasons as a starter in the IUP outfield, two of which ended with NAIA District 18 championships.
Sudzina batted .429 as a senior in 1969 and compiled a .388 career average. An outstanding contact hitter, he struck out only four times in his four seasons under coach Owen Dougherty.
Sudzina contributed to IUP’s success from the very outset of his career, helping the Indians, as they were then known, to a 16-5 record in his freshman season of 1966, a school record for victories. IUP equaled that total (16-10) in Sudzina’s second year, claimed the District 18 title and defeated New Haven (Conn.) and Fairmont (W.Va.) State in the NAIA Area 8 tournament, falling just short of a trip to the NAIA World Series.
IUP again won 16 games in 1968 (16-8), repeated as District 18 champion and advanced to Area 8 play. As a senior in 1969, Sudzina was named to the NAIA District 18 and Western Pennsylvania all-star teams. The Indians beat heavyweights Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia that season and again qualified for the District 18 tournament, but were eliminated by California in heartbreaking fashion, 5-4.
After the season, Sudzina played in the Tri-State Area Coaches All-Star game at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, clubbing a double in three at-bats.
IUP went 59-26 during his four seasons in uniform, setting what was then a school record for wins and winning percentage (.694) over any four-year span.
After leaving IUP, Sudzina spent two seasons in the Detroit Tigers organization, playing with Lakeland of the Florida State League and Batavia of the New York-Pennsylvania League.
A 1969 IUP grad with a degree in criminology, Sudzina works as a trial court administrator for the Tenth Judicial Circuit, state of Florida, in Lakeland.
He and his wife, Dr. Pamela Sudzina, reside in Lakeland They have a daughter, Amanda, and two grandchildren.
Personal Reflection:
When I reflect on my life leading to this moment, I have an extreme sense of gratitude for all of the individuals who have contributed to my successes over the years. My family, friends, coaches and teammates have all provided a significant contribution to my accomplishments.
My time at IUP has been a catalyst for the blessings and wonderful life I have experienced. My wife of 55 years (next week), Pam, has been my soulmate and best friend and has always had my best interests at heart. She has helped guide me to the right decisions in my life’s journey.
I am thankful for my brother Tom, who brought out the competitive spirit in me in my younger years, and we continue to compete on the golf course today. And I am so grateful for my mom and dad, who worked so hard and made sacrifices so I would have opportunities in life.
My high school baseball coach, Leo Parisi, saw potential in me as a baseball player and was instrumental in introducing me to Coach Dougherty and the IUP baseball program. Coach Bob Letso also had a positive influence on my baseball experience at the university.
I have vivid memories of my first game as a freshman, standing in left field in a game against West Virginia University in the month of February while it was snowing. We were playing a doubleheader and lost both games.
But IUP was more than four years of varsity baseball in my life. The university provided me with a quality education and personal growth. It provided me with the opportunity to meet my future wife and eventually move to Lakeland, Fla., where I played pro baseball and then enjoyed a career in the State Courts System in Florida, where I still work today.
I also spent quality time with esteemed athletes in the baseball program, some of whom are here today. We had a great sense of camaraderie and personified what a team should be—all for one and one for all. Owen Dougherty led the team with his calm and persuasive demeanor, always patient and tolerant of our mistakes on the field. One of the highlights of my time with the baseball program was my senior year when our team defeated the University of Pittsburgh, West Virginia University and Penn State University, all Division I schools. It was especially remarkable because our team, coached by Doc, defeated his college coach at Penn State.
Beyond baseball, Coach Dougherty had a profound influence on my life because he introduced me to Pam Hogue, who would become my wife within that year. We have been happily married since 1969. I am thankful for my teammates and have to give a shout out to our pitching staff. They were outstanding, one of the best in the nation, and would have had a better won/loss record if they had better run support from the rest of us.
In closing, I would like to thank my wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for his blessings on my life. For everything I have done or attained, I have Him to thank.
I also want to thank the selection committee for choosing me for this honor and for the entire university for the significant impact it has had on my life. Thank you.
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