Varney to be inducted into NEIBA Hall of Fame

Coach Varney from the 1990s (Brandeis Archives) and in 2013 (Robert Shaw)
Coach Varney from the 1990s (Brandeis Archives) and in 2013 (Robert Shaw)

WALTHAM, Mass. – The New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) has announced that former Brandeis University baseball coach Richard "Pete" Varney will be inducted into the NEIBA Hall of Fame tomorrow at the NEIBA All-Star game at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.

Varney, who coached the Judges for 34 seasons, won more games than any other coach of a single team in Brandeis history. He became the fourth Division III coach in New England history with 700 career victories after defeating Worcester State University, 7-2, on April 7th 2015. Varney's final career record was 705-528-6 upon his retirement following the 2015 season.

In addition to his victories, Varney coached three American Baseball Coaches Association All-Americans, one CoSIDA Academic All-American and 12 student-athletes who went on to play professionally. He also coached the Judges' only Major Leaguer, Nelson Figueroa '98, who pitched parts of nine seasons in the big leagues. His players were named to All-New England teams 50 times and All-University Athletic Association squads more than 100 times, including four UAA Players of the Year and six Rookies of the Year.

Varney was named as New England Division III Coach of the Year three times (1984, 87, 99) and was named Greater Boston League Coach of the Year five times. Varney spent three summers (1988-90) as the head baseball coach of the Cotuit Kettleers in the nationally known Cape Cod League.

Before becoming a coach, Varney was a standout player at North Quincy High School, Harvard University and as a professional, spending parts of for years in the majors with the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves in his seven years as a pro.

This is the second class of the NEIBA Hall of Fame. Varney and long-time Amherst and Eastern Conn. State coaches Bill Thurston and Bill Holowaty will become the third, fourth and fifth Division III coaches selected for the NEIBA Hall of Fame.

The NEIBA All-Star game will start at 12 noon on Thursday, with the induction ceremony taking place at 11:30 a.m.