Tim Wallace inducted into Pioneer Hall of Honor
Head baseball coach and Athletic Director Tim Wallace was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Honor along with former soccer coach Pete Petersen. Coach Wallace stated that he owes a lot to SMC and this is a great honor and it's very humbling to be inducted into the Hall of Honor. Wallace has won 936 games in his 21 year career at SMC.
Spartanburg Methodist College head baseball coach Tim Wallace returns in 2012-2013 for his twenty-second season at the helm of the Pioneers baseball program while also serving his second stint as Athletic Director. His previous teams have produced a 936-292 record with NJCAA Region X Championships in 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2012. His .762 winning percentage ranks him among the leaders of those actively coaching at the NJCAA level. He has garnered many awards, included being named Region X Coach of the Year (1992, 1998, 2000, 2008, 2010), Carolina's Junior College Conference Coach of the Year (1992) ,Louisville Slugger Coaches Award (1993, 1996, 1997, 2001) and Diamond ABCA Regional Coach of the Year (2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012) . In 2001, Wallace earned his first Eastern District Coach of the Year award as his 49-12 club sported the best record in Grand Junction, Colorado at the NJCAA World Series. He earned his second Eastern District Coach of the Year award in 2003, when his club posted a 50-16 record. His 2007 squad earned him his third by posting a school record 54 wins while finishing third at the Junior College World Series. A fourth was awarded after the 2009 squad finished 5th at JUCO with a school record 55 wins. Number five came after the 2012 Pioneers again earned a trip to Grand Junction for the Junior College World Series. In addition to having successful teams, Wallace has helped individuals realize their potential. Three Pioneers have participated on the NJCAA All-Stars, a group put together to face international competition. Of the three All-Star participants, Derrick Clay and Marty Gantt were named Offensive MVP's of their respective groups. Fifteen players have been named NJCAA All-Americans during his tenure, while 64 have signed professional contracts. Of these 64, 10 are actively playing and pursuing a shot at the Major Leagues. In 2002 Coach Wallace had his first player reach the majors, 1998 graduate Orlando Hudson with the Toronto Blue Jays. Hudson is a three time Gold Glove winner and four time All-Star second baseman currently playing with the Chicago White Sox. A second Pioneer under Wallace, Lee Gronkiewicz, made an appearance at the big league level in 2007. Also during the Wallace era, players have signed letters of intent with or gone to play at major NCAA Division I institutions such as South Carolina, Clemson, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina State, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina and East Carolina (just to name a few). Numerous others continued their careers at the NCAA Division II level.
Prior to his coaching career, Wallace was a standout player himself. A former second round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals, he played professionally for seven years. This included a two-year stint in Italy, where he led the league in hitting and homeruns. While playing in the States, Wallace was named an All-Star for both the Appalachian and Florida State leagues and also was team MVP for the 1983 St. Petersburg Cardinals. This continued a streak of team MVP awards that included two Lancaster High School, one Post 31 American Legion, one Baptist College and two Wofford College seasons. It was at Wofford where Wallace attracted professional scouts. During his two seasons there he posted records for career batting average (.456) and longest consecutive game hitting streak (37). He also led NAIA District 6 and the state of South Carolina in hitting as a sophomore. For his efforts, Wallace was inducted into Wofford's Hall of Fame in 2000.
Wallace returned to Wofford after his playing career and completed his B.A. in Sociology. He then earned an M.A. in Physical Education from Gardner-Webb University. He and his wife of twenty-eight years, Beth, have three children- Jacob,25 ; Amy Kate,23; and Mary Grace 21.