Kal Hill Segrist Jr

April 14, 1931 - June 26, 2015

Services will be held Thursday, July 2, at 2 p.m., at the Hico First United Methodist Church for former Texas Tech baseball coach and longtime Hico figure Kal Segrist. Segrist passed away in Lubbock, Friday night June 26, at the age of 84. The Segrist family has farmed and ranched the same Bosque River land for 146 years (since 1869). A memorial service is also set for July 6 in Lubbock. Segrist played college baseball at the University of Texas where he helped lead the Longhorns to the 1950 national championship. Segrist was named to the College World Series all-tournament team after leading the tourney in home runs. He was also named to the All-SWC team after leading the conference with a .442 average. Following the national title run, Segrist signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees. He made his major league debut with the Yankees on July 16, 1952. He also played one season for the Baltimore Orioles in 1955. Segrist’s dad, Kal, Sr., was born and lived in Hico and is said to be one of the first professional baseball players ever from here, playing for the Dallas Steers in the 1920s. The younger Segrist became the mascot for that team “and was raised on a steady diet of baseball and trips to the Hico farm,” family members said. That upbringing paved the way for Segrist’s later success as champion player, winning numerous state and national titles, a college star, pro player and successful coach. Segrist was Texas Tech’s second-longest tenured baseball coach in program history. The Texas Tech Hall of Honor member led the Red Raiders for 16 seasons ranging from 1968-83 where he won 317 total games, which at the time marked a school record for wins. His 317 wins remain second all-time in Texas Tech baseball history. Segrist, a native of Dallas, Texas, with longtime family roots in the Hico area, remained an active supporter of Red Raider baseball until his passing as he attended numerous games since his retirement, including several during the 2014 season where Texas Tech advanced to its first ever College World Series. At one time, Segrist took clay soil from the Hico family farm and trucked it to Lubbock to make the Texas Tech pitcher’s mound. When Hico ISD built the new baseball field here, Segrist also helped coaches construct the pitcher’s mound. “We lost a good friend today and a great Red Raider,” Texas Tech head coach Tim Tadlock said. “We are going to miss Kal dearly. Please keep Kal’s family and his wife Becky in your prayers at this time.” The Red Raiders finished with 20 or more wins nine times under Segrist, including a 32-win season in 1976. Regarded as one of the top offensive coaches in the country, Segrist was recognized as the SWC Coach of the Year on three occasions in 1969, 1980 and 1982. In addition to his success on the diamond, Segrist was also credited for spearheading the idea of having the SWC Postseason Tournament. Segrist’s No. 24 jersey was retired by Texas Tech on May 1, 2010, making him just the fourth individual and the second head coach to have their number retired in Texas Tech baseball history. "I’m heartbroken at the news of Coach Segrist’s passing,” said Mike Gustafson, a former player under Segrist (1986-89) and current president and CEO of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. “He was as patient and supportive as an assistant coach could be during my time as a player but our best times came after my playing days just sitting in his living room talking baseball. I will forever miss him.” Segrist returned to college soon after his major league retirement and received his bachelor’s degree from North Texas State in 1962. He became an assistant to Berl Huffman at Texas Tech in 1965. He took over head coaching duties three seasons later. “I was blessed with the opportunity to play for and coach with Kal Segrist,” said Gary Ashby, a former Texas Tech All-American who followed Segrist as the sixth head coach in school history. “His work is the foundation that Tech baseball is built on. He did more with less than any coach I know. Everyone that comes after Coach Segrist owes him a debt of gratitude for all the thankless hours he invested in the program.” Segrist is survived by his wife, Becky, and his six children -- Kris, Scott, Sunny Beth, Sandy, Kathy and Susan.