WACO, Texas — After leading Kentucky to its most successful two-year run in UK baseball program history, Kentucky head coach John Cohen was honored as a featured speaker at the annual Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Convention, on Friday in Waco, Texas.
Cohen, UK?s fifth-year head coach and 2006 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, is widely regarded as one of the top hitting instructors in college baseball. Annually speaking at dozens of organizations, Cohen presented on Friday, in front of over 1,900 high school coaches from the state of Texas. Joining Cohen as a featured speakers were Texas baseball legends Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan and Mississippi State head coach and Cohen mentor Ron Polk. Cohen presented on Kentucky?s hitting techniques and drills on Friday, utilizing a PowerPoint presentation which included informative video clips and highlights.
?We really value the opportunities to get out and represent the University of Kentucky in a positive way throughout the country,? Cohen said. ?Speaking at the THSBCA Convention was another wonderful opportunity to build relationships and increase the visibility of Kentucky baseball on a national scale. With Gary Henderson speaking in front of over 3,500 coaches at the American Baseball Coaches Association Convention earlier in December, the UK baseball program has been, and will continue to be, well represented throughout the country.?
Most remarkably, Cohen managed to leave Lexington on Thursday after UK?s practices, speak at the convention in Waco, and then return to Lexington in time for Friday afternoon practices. Highly regarded in coaching circles for his speaking ability, Cohen is scheduled to present to high school organizations in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kentucky in the near future, as well as speaking at the prestigious Cherry Hill ?Best you Can Be? Clinic, featuring over 1,500 baseball coaches.
Kentucky, ranked 20th in the preseason Collegiate Baseball poll, opens its 2008 season at the Coca-Cola Classic in Mobile, Ala., on Feb. 22 vs. Xavier.
