MOUNT OLIVE (Nov. 18) – On Saturday, November 18, the University of Mount Olive dedicated its new baseball training facility in honor of Carl Lancaster. Lancaster joined Mount Olive College as Head Baseball Coach in 1987. When he retired in 2018, after 32 seasons at the helm of the program, Lancaster had amassed numerous honors and achievements.
Gallery: (11-18-2023) Carl Lancaster Facility Ribbon-Cutting
The Carl Lancaster Training Facility is a 5,850-square feet indoor space aimed at improving player development. Athletes can train in any kind of weather which is a tremendous bonus as players perfect their skills. The facility includes three full-length retractable batting cages, pitching mounds, performance turf, upgraded equipment storage, and data-driven metrics to track hitters and pitchers with instant feedback.
The facility will aid not only future recruiting efforts but also support current and future players as they compete at the highest level. The facility is named to honor former, longtime Head Baseball Coach Carl Lancaster, whose distinguished service has left an indelible mark on the Trojan baseball program and the University of Mount Olive.
After 32 seasons at the helm of the UMO baseball program, Lancaster announced his retirement from coaching in 2018. He led Mount Olive to the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championship, 15 Conference Carolinas Tournament Championships, 15 regular season Conference Carolinas Championships, and 17 appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Lancaster finished with a career record of 1,134-485-2 for a .700 winning percentage and was named Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year 12 times while at UMO. During his tenure, UMO had over 40 players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, 39 NCAA Division II All-Americans, and three Division II National Player of the Year winners.
After the program, Carl Lancaster talks with the lead donor, Walter Ray Daniels, about their good old days as classmates and friends. Daniels provided the lead gift to the facility in memory of his son, Brandon, and in honor of Carl's baseball legacy at UMO.
