The Fish House

photo creditGary McCracken/gmccracken@pnj.com

University of West Florida head baseball coach Mike Jeffcoat barely had time to catch his breath on Monday night.

He wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Fresh off their NCAA Division II national championship on Saturday, hundreds of fans, alumni and community leaders gathered at the Fish House in downtown Pensacola to give the champs a warm, electric welcome.

Jeffcoat and his players were bombarded with congratulations, hugs and well-wishes.

“For our team to be generating this kind of buzz and happiness, gosh, I don’t know,” Jeffcoat said. “It’s special.”

His team caught the Pensacola area’s attention last week as it made a run through the Division II College World Series in Cary, N.C.

By the time UWF went 3-0 during the week and made it to Saturday’s championship game, the buzz had reached an all-time high as local establishments were throwing watch parties and the game was put on national television.

The Argos crushed Winona State 12-2 in the championship game to give the school its first NCAA national championship in a traditional team sport.

Back home with trophy in hand, this was the first real opportunity for the Argos to bask in the excitement.

“It’s just amazing to see all the support,” said team member Eric Kroll, a former Pace High standout who also won a high school state baseball championship with the Patriots in 2006. “It’s unbelievable to see almost the entire community come out to UWF alumni to people living in the community, it just makes it all worthwhile to see everyone excited for us.”

The team was also presented with a congressional congratulation submitted by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla.

“Is this a great day to be an Argonaut?” UWF President Judy Bense asked the crowd. “I’m just proud, happy, this is what the university has needed for a long time. It is wonderful. I know you’re proud of the team, proud of the university and so am I.”

Jeffcoat led his team out between the crowd while hoisting the national title trophy over his head. He then introduced each one of his players and gave credit to his assistant coaches, athletic trainers, weight training staff and his family.

After the ceremony, Jeffcoat was mobbed by close friends, former players and his family.

Then he took a breath.

“I hope I can experience it again,” Jeffcoat said. “But if I don’t, I’ve been blessed to experience it once.”