Chaney inducted into Manchester Hall of Fame
NORHT MANCHESTER — Nick Chaney etched his Manchester legacy on the baseball diamond. A standout second baseman from 2000-2003, Chaney ranks third all-time in program history with a career batting average of .369. He also ranks second all-time in school history in doubles (52), seventh in hits (199), and ninth in total bases (301).
Additionally, Chaney ranks in the top 10 for hits in a single-season (twice), batting average in a single-season, doubles in a single-season, total bases in a single-season, hit by pitches in a single-season, triples in a single-season
As a junior in 2002, Chaney was named a First Team All-american by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) after hitting a blistering .440 with 23 doubles, 9 home runs and 40 RBI. He also earned First Team Allregion recognition from the ABCA and was a First Team All-heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference honoree. A year later as senior in 2003, Chaney earned ABCA Third Team All-region recognition and was once again tabbed as a First Team ALLHCAC honoree. Chaney added Honorable Mention ALL-HCAC recognition as a first-year in 2000 during his distinguished Black & Gold career.
Manchester won 101 games during Chaney’s career, including a pair of 31-win seasons in 2002 and 2003. The 2002 Manchester baseball squad won the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Nick graduated from Manchester in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in physics. He has worked for Hoosier Racing Tire and U.S. Granules Corporation. Currently, Chaney serves as the executive vice president at U.S. Granules Corporation. Nick and his wife, Karmen, who is also a Manchester alum, have two sons, Jak (14) and Frank (11).
Also inducted for baseball, fellow All-american Justin Libey, as well as two of the most decorated track & field athletes in Manchester University history in John Kimmel and Bridgette Rowe.
Joining the four inductees was also the 2021 Claude Wolfe Coach of the Year recipient, Danny Irwin.
The five honorees were be recognized during Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 9.
Nick Chaney – 2003 – Baseball
* First Team All-american in 2002.
* Two-time All-region honoree (2002 & 2003).
* Two-time First Team Allconference selection (2002 & 2003; Honorable Mention All-conference selection (2000).
* Top 10 in program history in nine different statistical categories.
Justin Libey – 2003 – Baseball
* First Team All-american in 2002.
* First Team All-region and First Team Allconference in 2002.
* Holds school record for wins in a season with 11 set in 2002 (11-1).
* Ranks 2nd in school history in wins (26), strikeouts (227), and innings pitched (307.2).
* Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies (33rd round).
John Kimmel – 2010 – Track & Field
* Three-time Allamerican.
* 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Champion in the high jump.
* Five-time NCAA National Qualifier.
* 2010 Great Lakes Region Indoor Field Athlete of the Year.
* Named to HCAC Alldecade Team in 2018.
Bridgette Rowe – 2016 Track & Field
* Three-time Allamerican.
* Four-time HCAC Field Athlete of the Year; 11-time
HCAC Individual Event Champion.
* 2014 HCAC Female Athlete of the Year.
* School record holder in the long jump, high jump, triple jump
* Named to HCAC Alldecade Team in 2018.
* NCAA Woman of the Year nominee in 2016.
Danny Irwin – Claude Wolfe Coach of the Year – 2008
* 2021 NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year Finalist at West Liberty University.
* 2021 NCAA Division II Super Region 3 Coach of the Year.
* 2021 Mountain East Conference All-sports Coach of the Year.
* Has coached 49 scholar All-americans, 49 national qualifiers, and 29 Allamericans.
* Prior coaching stops include Wheeling Jesuit (HC), Wabash College (Assoc. HC), Bluffton High School (Ind. – HC).