Harlamert to be inducted into UD Hall of Fame

It's been nearly 20 years since Brian Harlamert last played collegiate baseball, but his college still remembers his impact.  

The Coldwater baseball coach will be inducted into the University of Dayton's Athletic Hall of Fame for his stellar career with the Flyers' baseball team. The official induction will take place at halftime of the Flyers' men's basketball game with Richmond at UD Arena on March 2.

"I found out at the end of December," said Harlamert via telephone on Thursday. "You think about all the days you were in school, the teammates you were with and the coaches. Just very honored and humbled to be in the hall of fame."

Harlamert always dreamed about going to Dayton, even as a youngster.

"I've always been a UD Flyer," said Harlamert. "Growing up, I was a UD fan, (especially) the basketball teams. I would go down there in elementary school. For me to go play baseball there and get an education at UD, now today being a fan ... Not just in baseball, but in all sports."

During his four years in red, white and blue, Harlamert had a dominating career that still shows up in the record book nearly 20 years after graduating.

Harlamert still is the all-time leader in career games with 230, career runs batted in with 177 and season games with 62 in 1991. His 38 career home runs are second all-time behind another former Cavalier Brooks Vogel. Harlamert also ranks in the top three in career hits (246) and walks (128). Harlamert only made five errors in 300 chances as a centerfielder and earned first-team honors in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. Then the Flyers moved to the Great Midwest Conference, where Harlamert earned first-team all-conference honors as a senior after batting .360 with 15 home runs and 62 RBI.

"You look back and see your name's in (the record book)," said Harlamert. "It's nice to see."

Joining Harlamert in this year's class are former basketball standout Chris Harris, who played for the Flyers in the early and mid-1950s, and longtime athletic director Ted Kissell.

March 2 will be a busy day for Harlamert and his family. In addition to the halftime introduction, there is a luncheon.

"It will be neat. The afternoon is kind of busy," said Harlamert. "Just walking on the floor at halftime is going to be very cool and neat. Heard from a lot of people who are going to be down there. It will be a fun day."