Hetland inducted into Tennessee Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Being elected to the Hall of Fame in any sport based on a career’s worth of achievements is something that most players and coaches can only dream of. For others, the idea never even crosses their minds while meanwhile accomplishing great feats and making an everyday impact in other’s lives along the way.

“I didn’t ever really ever look at it like that,” Brian Hetland said on his induction into the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame on Saturday. “I always knew I wanted to be a coach and continue to be around the sport that I love which is baseball. Obviously, you have to have longevity and surround yourself with a lot of good people to be able to get to something of this nature. I’ve just been blessed with a good support system that’s allowed me to pursue my passion and it starts at home with my wife and two kids.”

The recognition is based on an individual’s accomplishments in the field, service to the TBCA and/or ambassadorship towards the game of baseball in Tennessee. According to the TBCA, Hetland fell into each category and the voters are happy to have him in the Hall of Fame.

Hetland shared what it was like to go in alongside the other inductees in R.A. Dickey, Buddy Powers and Jim “Mags” McGuire.

“It’s just unbelievable quite honestly,” Hetland said. “I saw R.A. pitch when I was a recruiting coordinator at Austin Peay. You just knew he was going to be a major leaguer. Jim McGuire and I have been very close friends for a long time even before he was at Middle Tennessee, so that was a great treat. I’ve known Buddy Powers when he was at Riverdale and he ran a great program. It was great to go in with those guys and made it really nice.”

Hetland is set to enter his 33rd season as a coach in 2020 and his 11th season as head coach at Clarksville High.

In his first six years at the helm for CHS, he’s led the Wildcats to a 160-65 record. Hetland also took the 2010 team to the state tournament which was the school’s first appearance in 35 years.

Originally from Racine, Wisconsin, Hetland described how the elements up North were not exactly conducive for year-round baseball.

“We didn’t have much of a spring season at all,” Hetland said. “This was before the advent of indoor facilities and the popularity of fall baseball. You were limited in your opportunities there’s no question about it. It was definitely challenging from a weather perspective trying to get ready for a season. It was quite a bit different and we really had to rely on our summer program.”

Hetland played baseball at Washington Park High School where he helped lead his team to the state tournament his senior year as an outfielder and pitcher.

After that, he went on to play at Waldorf College in Forrest City, Iowa. Upon earning his Associates degree, he enrolled at Northwest Missouri State University. While with the Bearcats, Hetland earned all-conference, hitting .331 with five home runs.

“There were limited places to go at the time if you were from Wisconsin, so a lot of guys chose to go to junior colleges out of Iowa,” Hetland said. “I had a summer coach that got me involved with Waldorf College. I went on a visit there and they gave me some scholarship money to attend. That propelled me into going to Northwest Missouri State and while I was there, that’s when I knew I was going into coaching at some point. We had a baseball theory class that was part of the curriculum. I had a good senior season and was able to accept a graduate assistant position after that.”

While at Northwest Missouri State, Hetland became roommates with former Austin Peay head coach Gary McClure.

“That’s where we met initially,” Hetland said. “He ended up transferring to Cumberland, Tennessee and that’s where he finished his playing career. We were close and what ended up happening was once the head coaching position opened up at Austin Peay, Gary was elevated and called me to help coach at the Division I level. That opportunity presented itself, I came here in 1988 and stayed the rest of the time.”

During Hetland’s tenure, Austin Peay baseball captured five OVC championships (1994, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2006) and made two NCAA regional appearances in 1996 and 2006.

Hetland believes he couldn’t have made it to this point in his career without the type of former players and past members of his coaching staff that attributed to and had a hand in his success.

“I’ve been very fortunate,” Hetland said. “From the high school perspective, I always say I’ve had great parents, booster club presidents and directors. There’s been a lot of great people who’ve been instrumental in helping establish the Clarksville High program. When we first got to Austin Peay, we were the number one team everyone wanted to schedule and I think that’s changed now. We’ve had so many great players and professional guys who have become great stories. It’s been a great ride to see those people’s successes and that’s the neat thing.”

Hetland’s drive for the game of baseball hasn’t dwindled in the slightest and he sees himself continuing to coach for the foreseeable future.

“The passion and the work ethic have always been there and it still is there,” Hetland said. “I love being around players and the game of baseball. It teaches you so many values. The question that comes up is what more can you do? I try to do as much as I can within reason and make the best situation that we can for our program. I know that baseball has gotten better in the state and that was one of the key points I made in my speech.”

Hetland shared what the game of baseball means to him and how it’s given him more than he could have ever imagined.

“It’s got me to Tennessee where I was lucky enough to meet my wife and have my family,” Hetland said. “I don’t have any other hobbies that get in the way of baseball. A lot of people like to go cut grass, hunt, fish or whatever. For me, it’s what I love to do. It’s been a great profession to be involved in and hopefully, I’ve impacted some kids. That’s what it all comes down to. There’s been good wins and bad losses, but you keep striving and the game has really taught me a lot of values that I see are important in life and I think that’s the best part of the game.”