Loren Hibbs

One of Wichita State’s first star players under Gene Stephenson, Wellington’s Loren Hibbs helped lead the Shockers to a runner-up finish in their first ever College World Series, in 1982.  Hibbs set a still-standing NCAA record with 125 runs scored that season and was named to the College World Series all-tournament team.

Hibbs was an all-Missouri Valley Conference outfielder three times and was drafted and signed by San Francisco following his senior season.  He played one season with Class A Everett (WA) Giants of the Northwest League.

Hibbs returned to Wichita and spent three seasons as a graduate assistance before joining Stephenson’s staff as a full-time assistant.  His responsibilities for seven years were to coach first base, organize recruiting efforts and monitor academic progress.

In 1993, Hibbs was named head coach at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.  In his 25 seasons, the 49ers are 764-627-4.  Charlotte teams have won seven conference titles and have appeared in five NCAA tournaments.  Hibbs has been named conference coach of the year three times.  During his tenure, the school had eight All-Americans and two players who reached the major leagues.  

Hibbs Charlotte as its all-time winningest coach and returned to Wichita State as an assistant.  In 2023, he was named head coach of the Shockers.