NGU baseball head coach Landon Powell: A true competitor
Alex T. Burroughs, Sports Writer
Powell and volunteer coach Utah Jones watch as their team plays defense. Photo courtesy Zion of Dendy.
At the age of 9, Landon Powell had a dream that one day he would play Major League Baseball (MLB).
Within the MLB program, approximately 1 in 200 players actually make it to the big leagues. To Powell, those odds did not deter him from making it to the top.
Dedicated and strong-willed, he committed his time and energy to the sport he loved. He would sacrifice vacations, church retreats and time with friends in order to focus in on his craft.
On April 11, 2004, the fruits of his labor would begin to bear as he was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft as pick 24.
Powell said, “I realized my dream.”
Unfortunately, in January of the following year, Powell suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear in his left knee. The injury would keep him out for the rest of the 2005 MLB season.
This injury would not keep Powell down. He returned to the field in 2006 to play for the Stockton Ports. That year he was named the team’s mid-season and post-season all-star.
Teams and Awards
· 2004: Vancouver Canadians
· 2005: Stockton Ports
· 2006: Stockton Ports (Mid and Post-Season All-Star)
· 2007: Midland Rockhounds (Mid-Season All-Star) and Sacramento River Cats
· 2008: Sacramento River Cats
· 2009-2010: Oakland Athletics
· 2012: Oklahoma City RedHawks (Mid-Season All-Star)
Powell takes advantage of a break in action by coaching third basemen Jaxson Cash. Photo courtesy of Zion Dendy.
Powell would continue to play baseball professionally until 2013.
Throughout his career, he would fight through another two leg injuries, liver disease and the untimely passing of his daughter.
After ending his professional career, Powell began coaching as a way “to pay it forward.” He began his newfound coaching career at Furman University here in the Upstate.
In 2014, Powell accepted the job as head coach at North Greenville University. Powell’s impact was immediately felt as the former 8-35 Crusaders became the Conference Carolinas Champions in 2015 with a chance to play in the team’s first NCAA Division II Regional Tournament.
Landon Powell discusses a controversial call with umpires. Photo courtesy of Zion Dendy.
Coaching Stats
· Career Record: 212-82-1
· Conference Championships: 2015, 2018, 2019
· NCAA Postseason Appearances: 2015, 2018, 2019
· Conference Carolinas Tournament Appearances: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
When asked what the secret was to the dramatic change in the Crusader’s baseball program, Powell gladly admitted it wasn’t all him.
Having put together a supporting coaching staff consisting of Trey Dyson, Hunter Dillworth and his former college teammate Jon Coutlangus.
Powell mentioned that he had to change the culture of the team and the coaches in order for them to believe in themselves.
Powell addresses him team following a win against Erskine college. Catcher John Michael Faile and outfielder Ethan Stringer listen on. Photo courtesy of Zion Dendy.
Powell is instilling into his team the value of hard work, resilience and perseverance.
When talking about how hard his team works, he said, “the other team could score five runs in the first [inning], but that doesn’t mean you give in, you battle, scratch and claw.”
The Crusaders gear up for a condensed season this year due to COVID-19 but still have the same goals in mind.
Powell said, “Our goal is to go out there and win every inning … if we win every pitch, every inning, every out, then we’ll win every game.”
There seems to be no doubt on the team about having a successful season.
