Feb. 7, 2012
Cullowhee, N.C. -
Western Carolina fifth-year senior Vance Chavis has been selected this season's "Leggett Legacy" player as chosen by head coach Bobby Moranda and the Catamount baseball coaching staff. Chavis, a left-handed pitcher, will wear the No. 7 jersey during the 2012 season which was made famous at WCU by former coaching great, Jack Leggett.
The annual program was introduced by Moranda at last year's "Celebration of Catamount Baseball" banquet held on campus in conjunction with the 2011 opening weekend. The WCU coaching staff selects one player each year that is committed to keeping with the principles and integrity established by the former Catamount skipper during his tenure.
"Among the many great past individuals that have influenced the success and the prestige of Western Carolina baseball, Jack Leggett stands out above most. Each season, we will name one player who exemplifies what it is to be a Catamount baseball player and that is deserving wear the No. 7 jersey to honor the foundation laid by Jack," Moranda said.
To earn the honor of the "Leggett No. 7 Legacy," a Catamount baseball player must have a passion for the game of baseball; show total intensity daily; do more with less; use adversity as preparation for greatness; and be committed to the ideals of T.E.A.M. by displaying: T-Toughness, E-Effort, A-Approach to find a way to M-Make it Happen.
Last year, senior catcher Stephen Notaro wore the honorary jersey No. 7 as the first honoree in the Leggett Legacy. Notaro hit .335 overall on the year and finished second to Catamount teammate Ross Heffley in the SoCon in hitting in league games only a season ago at .394 with six home runs and four doubles with 28 RBI.
Chavis enters his final season with a 3-4 career record with 34 career appearances including 13 starts on the mound for the Catamounts. He has recorded 50 strikeouts through his 62 career innings pitched.
The Laurinburg, N.C., native appeared in two games as a true freshman, tossing four innings in his first collegiate start against Hartford but left the game early after re-aggravating an elbow injury. The ailment sidelined him the remainder of his freshman season. He spent the majority of his redshirt freshman season in 2009 rehabbing his throwing elbow.
Chavis returned to the mound in 2010, pitching 48.2 innings with 10 starts including a complete-game, four-hitter in the one-run, 5-4, home win over Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 28, 2010. Last season, the south paw made 11 appearances on the hill with a pair of starts.
"Vance's work ethic is unmatched. He has persevered through several injuries and a subsequent surgery during his career at Western Carolina. We have named him one of our team captains going into the 2012 season and it is an honor to bestow upon him the `Leggett No. 7' for this year," said Moranda.
Leggett, who is entering his 19th season on the bench with the Clemson Tigers, spent nine seasons in the dugout in Cullowhee, amassing a program-best 302 career victories from 1983 through 1991. He guided the Catamounts to 10 combined Southern Conference championships and five NCAA tournament appearances.
He also helped shape the future of WCU baseball by recruiting and coaching his three successors in Keith LeClair, Rodney Hennon and Todd Raleigh. Leggett's three protégés combined to win 567 games and a combined eight SoCon titles in 15 seasons, while also capturing five SoCon Coach of the Year honors.
During his tenure as an assistant coach at Wake Forest, Virginia and Georgia Tech, Moranda coached against Leggett's Clemson Tiger teams.
The SoCon preseason polls and all-conference teams are slated to be announced on Feb. 8 with Opening Day on Friday, Feb. 17.
