FREDONIA - The 2020 Fredonia State Athletics Hall of Fame induction class was announced and one of the five athletes that will be recognized will be Jordan Basile, Jamestown Community College head baseball coach.
“Wow. Awesome,” was Basile’s initial reaction. “It’s a special feeling that gives you chills when you hear something like that.”
Basile made his mark for the Blue Devils baseball program, etching his name in the record book as the all-time career hit leader along with being in the top 10 in nine other statistical categories.
During his senior season, Basile, the lead-off hitter, set single-season records for hits and runs while batting a conference-leading .420. During his record-breaking season, Basile helped the Blue Devils win a program-record 26 games along with an appearance in the ECAC Upstate New York Tournament.
With the honor, Basile said, “It means everything to me. Baseball is a sport that I have had a passion for my whole entire life which has continued into my coaching career. It all began with the days spent at the field with my dad, hitting a briefcase of 15 balls and going to pick them up one-by-one to do it all over again. All of the coaches in Chautauqua County that shared the same passion that I wouldn’t have had this opportunity to without.”
Being immortalized by a team or school is the ultimate achievement, leaving your mark and being recognized is a goal that many have but until it becomes reality.
When asked if something like this would happen and crossed his mind, Basile said that it has.
“I wouldn’t say yes or no one way or another, but of course it had crossed my mind. This was a great honor to put a stamp on the best four years of my life.”
Having a successful playing career has transitioned well into coaching. Basile has coached at the Division I, II and III levels. Prior to coming to JCC, Basile compiled a record of 64-31-1 at Patrick Henry Community College including a record of 38-16-1 during his first season at PHCC, one win away from the College World Series.
Basile adds input to his current players that look to continue their baseball careers at a four year institution, “I always tell my players now it doesn’t matter where you end up as long as you fall in love with what you are doing. So many players get caught up in saying they’re a Division I or II athlete just to say that they went Division I or II. The real memories come from the education you receive, the coaches you have and the ever lasting friendships you have made through the game of baseball. I would recommend the experience at Fredonia State to anyone.