[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 123 (Thursday, July 17, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S4453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RICH MALONEY

  Mr. YOUNG. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the work of Rich 
Maloney, head coach of Ball State University's baseball team, whose 
leadership and contributions to the sport have made a lasting 
impression on his players, the university, and the broader baseball 
community. This season, Coach Maloney reached a rare milestone, 
becoming the 10th active Division I head coach to reach 1,000 career 
wins.
  Coach Maloney's tenure at Ball State began in 1996, and after a 
successful decade at the University of Michigan, he returned to Muncie 
in 2013. Over nearly three decades as a head coach, he has led teams to 
numerous conference titles, tournament championships, and NCAA regional 
appearances. With the Cardinals, he is the most accomplished coach in 
program history, having guided the team to multiple MAC West Division, 
regular-season, and tournament titles. Since his return, he has added 
two Coach of the Year honors and, in 2023, led Ball State to its first 
tournament title in more than 15 years.
  Before beginning his coaching career, Coach Maloney was a standout 
player at Western Michigan University, where he was a two-time All-MAC 
selection, team MVP, and team captain. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 
the 13th round of the 1986 MLB Draft, he spent six seasons in 
professional baseball, reaching Double-A. After retiring as a player, 
he became an assistant under his college coach Fred Decker, an 
experience that helped shape the values and approach he would carry 
into his own head coaching career. That foundation, built on 
discipline, respect, and a love for the game, continues to guide his 
work at Ball State today.
  Coach Maloney's 1,000th win is not just a measure of longevity, but 
proof of sustained excellence and the respect he has earned throughout 
college baseball. In an era of constant change in college athletics, he 
has been a steady presence, setting a lasting standard for what college 
coaching can and should represent.
  On behalf of Hoosiers, I extend my congratulations to Coach Rich 
Maloney on reaching this significant achievement. I thank him for his 
years of service and leadership and for the lasting impact he has had 
on Ball State University and the world of college baseball.

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