'We've been blessed': Walsh baseball program celebrates head coach Tim Mead's 900th win

NORTH CANTON — Each win is a milestone victory for Walsh University baseball coach Tim Mead.

The Andover, New York native, is the Cavaliers' all-time winningest coach. In fact, no Walsh coach in any sport has won more games than Mead.

Record holders still achieve notable wins. Mead gained one last week when he recorded his 900th career victory.

"It means I'm getting old," Mead joked.

What Mead has accomplished in four decades at Walsh is certainly no joke. He led the Cavs to the NAIA World Series in 2007. Last year Walsh won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament and appeared in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional for the first time.

"I've just been around a lot of incredible people, outstanding players and good families," Mead said. "We've been blessed."

Mead has been a Walsh man since his playing days at the university. He was a pitcher on the baseball team and captained the men's soccer team.

The opportunity to coach the soccer team was offered to Mead shortly after he graduated. Then Dean of Students Richard Jusseaume came up with another idea.

"I had coached two soccer seasons, and the following spring Richard says 'We need a baseball coach for a year,'" Mead said. "I'm like 'Are you crazy? I'm already coaching soccer.' He said 'You played both. Why don't you coach both?'

"Forty years later ... Oh, my Lord."

Mead found himself in the right place at the right time when he graduated from Walsh. He coached the soccer team for 29 seasons and won 306 games. When it comes to the baseball program, there are no signs of him slowing down.

Coaching opportunities elsewhere were available for Mead. Leaving his college home just never felt right.

"I met my wife here, and my kids loved North Canton," Mead said. "There were opportunities to look around, and I'm like 'How could I do that to my kids?' My kids just love it here."

Walsh's on-field success is a source of pride for Mead. Off the field, he also has a lot to be proud of, too.

Recently, 81% of Walsh's players recorded a 3.0 GPA or better, with 51% on the Dean's List.

"The big word they always use now is 'culture,' and we have a really good sound culture," Mead said. "We don't have to babysit. We don't have to worry about what they're doing."

The Cavs' run to the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2022 reminded Mead a lot their 2007 NAIA World Series run. Both teams went to their conference and district tournaments as No. 6 seeds. Both teams won their tournaments to advance.

A recent eight-game winning streak helped vault the 2023 Cavs (18-14, 13-5) to third place in the G-MAC North Division. It also wiped out Walsh's eight-game losing streak to start the season.

"When we were 0-8, I begged the players 'Don't worry about our record,'" Mead said. "'The greatest thing is you care. Stay the course. Trust the process. We have to persevere through this.'"

The Cavs responded by winning 17 of 20. The stretch included Mead's 900th victory.

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Tim Mead earns 900th career win as Walsh University baseball coached