| Organization: | Point Loma Nazarene University (CA) |
| Year: | 2003 |
Winner of the 2003 ABCA/Wilson Lefty Gomez Award, Dr. Carroll Land served as head baseball coach at Point Loma Nazarene University from 1961 through 1999. As baseball coach he produced 768 wins and some outstanding teams. He led his teams to 16 postseason appearances, and his 1985-86 team won the NAIA District III Championship and finished runner-up in the NAIA Region 1 tournament. He also led the Sea Lions to back-to-back NAIA World Series appearances in 1993 and 1994. Land coached numerous All-American players, several of whom signed professional baseball contracts.
Land also coached with the U.S. Military All-Stars for 16 seasons.
As the PLNU Athletic Director, a position he held through 2009, his administrative skills and vision brought growth and balance for men's and women's programs. Land is recognized for his local, regional, national and international leadership in intercollegiate sports.
Land's 11-year service on the NAIA National Executive Committee culminated in the presidency. He served as a Board Member of the U.S. Baseball Federation, and spent 12 years as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee House of Delegates, was involved in the administration of the World University Games and helped coordinate the NAIA National Championships in many different sports. Land was chairman of the Commission for Women's Championships resulting in the initial NAIA Championships for Women. He also served as the founding President/Commisioner of the Golden State Athletic Conference.
Dr. Land, a past president of the ABCA (1995) and former Chairman of the Board of Directors (1998-2003), is a member of the NAIA, the Point Loma Nazarene College and the ABCA Halls of Fame. He has been recognized by receiving the Dr. Robert "Ish" Smith NAIA Coaching and Character Award and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Jerry Kindall Award.
Land currently serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at PLNU. He remains highly involved with the ABCA, serving as a member of the Board of Directors, Standing Committee, Ehtics in Coaching Committee and Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee.
Named after the great Lefty Gomez, this annual award is presented to an individual who has distinguished himself among his peers and has contributed significantly to the game of baseball locally, nationally and internationally. The Lefty Gomez Award is sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods.
