University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Hall of Fame
Tom Runnells
- Induction:
- 2024
- Class:
- 1977
Tom Runnells is synonymous with baseball and for the Greeley, Colorado native, it started at UNC. Runnells played in UNC's last appearance in the College World Series in 1974 and was part of three Great Plains Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championship teams.
With Runnells on the team, UNC compiled a 106-49 record.
An effective hitter, Runnells finished his career with a .394 batting average, 51 RBI, and scored 73 runs under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Petroff.
In 1977, he batted .378 with 33 RBI and stole 15 bases.
Runnells spent 41 years in professional baseball. He played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1985-86 and was a manager for the Montreal Expos in 1991-92. Runnels was a member of the Colorado Rockies organization in 2007 and the World Series run, and 2009 when the team secured the wild card.
Runnells was presented with the Colorado Rockies' Abby Greer award in 2012. Presented to the MVP of Spring training, he was the first non-player to receive it.
After retiring from professional baseball, Runnells became a varsity baseball coach for the local high school, Northview (Sylvania, Ohio), and won the 2022 state championship, the first in the school's history.
Runnells serves on the athletic advisory board for Lourdes University, and the Sylvania Schools Foundation.
With Runnells on the team, UNC compiled a 106-49 record.
An effective hitter, Runnells finished his career with a .394 batting average, 51 RBI, and scored 73 runs under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Petroff.
In 1977, he batted .378 with 33 RBI and stole 15 bases.
Runnells spent 41 years in professional baseball. He played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1985-86 and was a manager for the Montreal Expos in 1991-92. Runnels was a member of the Colorado Rockies organization in 2007 and the World Series run, and 2009 when the team secured the wild card.
Runnells was presented with the Colorado Rockies' Abby Greer award in 2012. Presented to the MVP of Spring training, he was the first non-player to receive it.
After retiring from professional baseball, Runnells became a varsity baseball coach for the local high school, Northview (Sylvania, Ohio), and won the 2022 state championship, the first in the school's history.
Runnells serves on the athletic advisory board for Lourdes University, and the Sylvania Schools Foundation.
Media Tuesday Mar 17
Wednesday, March 18
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Kristen Mattio (Mar 17)
Tuesday, March 17
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Mar 17)
Tuesday, March 17
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Clayton Sikorski (Mar 17)
Tuesday, March 17
