FAIRFAX, Virginia -- The Virginia Baseball Coaches Association (VBCA) held its annual Hall of Fame Ceremony, and former Ferrum College Coach Abe Naff was inducted along with seven other individuals.

This was the VBCA's second Hall of Fame class. The induction ceremony was held December 15 at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks in Fairfax, Virginia, in conjunction with the VBCA's annual convention. Naff, who compiled a career record of 632-237-3 as Ferrum's head baseball coach from 1985-2007, is the first NCAA Division III baseball coach inducted.

"Being inducted into the VBCA Hall of Fame is a great honor, but what made this so special was to have so many former players there that made this happen," said Naff. "We were always able to attract outstanding young men that were great players, who truly loved their teammates and were very proud to be Ferrum Panthers. We were a state, regional and national power during those years because we had great players that had tremendous pride and a very competitive spirit that made them champions!!!"

Naff had 67 players earn Academic All-Conference honors, and 22 of his standouts earned pro contracts. Two of Naff's players eventually made it to the major league: Eric Owens, a Tunstall product who had 126 career steals as an outfielder, and reliever Billy Wagner, a Tazewell graduate, who had 422 saves in the majors.

Naff led Ferrum to USA South baseball titles in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007, as well as tournament titles in 2005 and 2007. He also led the Panthers to NCAA Division III playoff berths in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2005 and 2007. Naff was the USA South Coach of the Year in 1989, 1992 and 2003 and 2004, as well as the VaSID Small College Coach of the Year in 1990, 1992, 1996, 2003 and 2007. He coached 20 All-Americans at Ferrum, and his 2007 team was two outs away from advancing to the NCAA Division III College World Series.

Naff is also a member of the Ferrum College Sports Hall of Fame, the University of Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame, the USA South Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame and the Franklin County High School Hall of Fame.

A number of Naff's former players attended the VBCA Hall of Fame ceremony. Pictured left to right here are David Allman, Chip Watkins, Blair Mastin, Jimmy Sood, Abe Naff, Russell Walton, Billy Wagner, Eric Owens, Andy Calohan, Patrick Daly and Scott David.

Naff also served the College as Director of Athletics from 2004-19, helping develop many athletic facilities, most notably the Hank Norton Center. He spearheaded the retro-fitting of field turf at Adams Stadium as well as the installation of the stadium's Norton-Tolley Pressbox.

Also inducted into the VBCA Hall of Fame Class of 2023 were former Lebanon High School Coach Charles "Doc" Adams, former Longwood University baseball coach and former United State Army medic Buddy Bolding, former Bridgewater College mentor Ray Heatwole, former Robinson High School Coach Bob Menefee, former Louisa High School Coach Bill Pelot, South Hampton Roads legend Marvin "Towny" Townsend, and former Liberty University Coach Al Worthington. Additionally, Jeff Petty was honored with the inaugural of the VBCA Baseball Impact Award, which recognizes one who impacts the game by more than wins and losses.