Veteran coach and UVA Wise alumnus Hank Banner will enter his 25th and final season at the helm of the College’s baseball program in 2021. The coach is coming off a COVID-19 shortened 2020 campaign that saw his Cavaliers post an 11-10 record prior to the season ending. Of the 11 wins, UVA Wise claimed its first ever South Atlantic Conference series victory by taking 2-of-3 games from Tusculum University.
Two seasons ago, Banner guided the Cavs to the postseason for the first time as a NCAA Division II member as the team advanced to day three of the Mountain East Conference Tournament.
In 2019, his club had its first .500 record in league play since becoming a NCAA Division II member and missed postseason play by one game.
Overall, the veteran coach has posted 57 wins over the last three years and enters his final season with 477 career coaching victories.
In 2016, Banner guided the Cavs to 20 victories for the first time since 2012 while also claiming his 400th career coaching victory during the season.
A member of the 1989 and 1990 conference championship teams as a player, Banner’s 421 wins are the most by any coach in school history, regardless of sport.
During Banner’s tenure, UVA Wise has advanced to regional play on three occasions, including posting a pair of third place finishes. The coach led the program to its third conference championship in 2011 when the team won the Mid-South Eastern Division crown.
A staple of the program, Banner either coached or played in all five regional appearances by the program. His 2007 and 2008 clubs went to back-to-back regional tournaments marking the first time the program has accomplished feat since the 1989 and 1990 squads.
Under Banner’s direction, student-athletes have set 33 career school records while also establishing 35 single-season school records.
A 1992 graduate of the College, the Castlewood native resides in his hometown with his wife Bridget and daughter Brooke.
