Sports

Former coach, Stockton, dies in Pasadena home

Cougar Sports Staff

The UH community lost one of its own Tuesday as former baseball head coach Bragg Stockton died in his Pasadena home. Stockton won 283 games with the Cougars from 1987 to i94. He was 64 years old.

He was beginning his second year as a volunteer coach for the Cougars, helping teach younger pitchers. With Stockton helping guide them, the UH pitchers struck out 548 batters and posted a combined 3.20 ERA.

"He was a pioneer in this area in developing baseball," head coach Rayner Noble said. "He was truly passionate about the game of baseball, and he passed that passion on to those around him. It was his life and he influenced many people, including myself."

Stockton attended Tarleton State in Stephenville, where he was named a junior college All-American in basketball. He earned his bacheloris and masteris degrees from Sul Ross State. From i65 to i69, Stockton won four district titles as head coach of Jesse H. Jones High School. He moved on to San Jacinto Junior College in i70 and went 424-112 in 11 seasons and took his team to the Junior College World Series three times.

He came to UH as an assistant coach in i80, but left to become the head coach at Texas Christian in i83. But he came back four years later and preceded Noble at UH. Stockton wrote three books which he used in baseball camps and clinics: <I>Basic Baseball<P>, <I>Baseball Skills and Drills<P> and <I>The Way to Excellence<P>.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

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