Newberry does not renew Rikeman's contract

Rikeman coached Newberry baseball for five seasons

NEWBERRY, S.C. - Newberry College athletic director Brad Edwards has announced that the contract of head baseball coach Bob Rikeman will not be renewed for the 2010-11 season. A search for Rikeman's successor has already begun.

“We are appreciative to coach Rikeman for his five years of service to Newberry College, and we are looking forward to the next chapter in Newberry baseball as we look to build that program into a national contender,” Edwards said.

Rikeman coached the scarlet and gray for five seasons (2006-10), compiling a record of 88-165-1 (.348) at Newberry. Two players, Thomas Berryhill and Casio Grider, were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft while Rikeman was at Newberry.

Newberry played without a home field during Rikeman’s first two seasons as the Indians were displaced from old Kirkland Field before the completion of the Smith Road Complex. In the three years at the Smith Road Complex, Rikeman’s teams earned a 39-38 home record. However, the team struggled in 2010, going 18-30 overall with a 4-20 SAC record and missing out on the conference tournament.