Jan. 26, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) First-year UNLV head baseball coach Tim Chambers will be one of three people to have their jersey retired by the College of Southern Nevada baseball program this Friday, January 28 prior to the start of its season-opening game against Arizona Western College.

"It's a tremendous honor," said Chambers. "We started the program from the ground up and were able to keep it going, had a lot of great players which allowed us to win a lot of games and become a national name."

Chambers, who started the baseball program at CSN in 2000, served as the head coach for 11 seasons, totaling an impressive 466-195-1 mark in that span. He led the Coyotes to the 2003 JUCO World Series National Championship and a third-place finish last season.

During his time CSN earned six Scenic West Athletic Conference championships, six Region XVIII championship game appearances, three Region XVIII titles and two Western District championships.

The Coyotes were an elite team at the JUCO level throughout his tenure and had a school-record nine players selected in the 2010 MLB Draft, including No. 1 overall pick Bryce Harper. CSN also featured four draft picks in the top 10 rounds.

Harper, who batted .443 with 31 home runs, 98 RBI and totaled 225 bases in 66 games under the guidance of Chambers, will also have his jersey retired. Harper was just the second non-Division I player to earn the Golden Spikes Award, given annually the best amateur baseball player.

Joining Chambers and Harper Friday night will be Mike Dunn. Dunn was the second CSN player to appear on a Major League roster, spending time with the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and currently the Florida Marlins.

First pitch for Friday's game against the Matadors is set for 6 p.m. at Morse Stadium.