NORTH CANTON, OH: On Wednesday morning, the American Baseball Coaches Association released their 2027 Hall of Fame Class. Walsh Alum and Head Baseball Coach, Tim Mead, is one of seven coaches who will be inducted in January. 

Mead has led the Cavalier Baseball team since 1984 and is entering his 44^th season in the dugout. Under his leadership, the Baseball program has been one of the key athletic programs at Walsh, representing the Maroon and Gold in excellence in athletic competition, academics, and community service. Coach Mead is closing in on 1,000 career wins. 

Outside of the baseball diamond, Mead has served the profession in prominent leadership roles including ABCA President and NAIA Coaches Association President and was honored with the Robert E. Smith Achievement Award in 2017. Currently, Mead serves on the ABCA Board of Directors and serves as Chair of the ABCA Hall of Fame Committee. 

"I am greatly honored and humbled to join such an elite group of coaches in the ABCA Hall of Fame! I have been extremely blessed to be able to coach for 44+ years at my Alma mater with absolutely outstanding coaches and players! I am grateful to my family,  the Brothers of Christian instruction, and all the past & current administration, that have allowed me to serve our student-athletes at Walsh University."

Induction into the ABCA Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Since the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1966, the ABCA has honored more than 350 individuals with induction. To be considered, a coach must have served as a head baseball coach and been an ABCA member for a minimum of 15 years. Candidates must also have made significant professional and personal contributions to the ABCA, contributed to the advancement of baseball at the local, national, or international level, and exemplified high moral character, ethical standards, excellence, and leadership.

Mead along with six other individuals will be formally honored during the ABCA Hall of Fame Banquet presented by C&H Baseball, on Friday, January 8, 2027, as part of the 83rd annual ABCA Convention in Chicago, Illinois. Tickets for the event will go on sale September 1.

Founded in 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 41 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association members have broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.