James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez
Head Basketball Coach 1959 - 1966
Head Baseball Coach 1960 to 1971
Administrator 1965 to 1994
The years form 1959 to 1994 saw many changes in the Cleveland State athletic department. One thing that did not change however was the presence of James Rodriguez. He served the university with high distinction on and off the playing fields for 35 years as a teacher, coach and administrator.
A graduate of Cleveland's East Tech High School and nearby Baldwin-Wallace, Rodriguez was named head coach of the baseball and basketball teams at Fenn College in 1959. His first team was the basketball squad of 1959-60. A small practice facility can co-op students for players made it tough to build a successful basketball program. But after a winless first season, hard work paid off as the team improved each year and by 1963-64 was setting records.
With CSU Hall of Famer Weldon Kytle leading the way on the floor, Rodriguez's 1963-64 and 1964-65 teams tied the school-record of 10 wins. Following the 1964-65 season, Fenn became Cleveland State University. Rodriguez coached the CSU basketball team for one season and then stepped down to devote his energy to the baseball team. He stayed with the basketball team for three more years however, serving as an assistant coach.
Rodriguez's seven seasons as basketball coach have been surpassed by only three, and his 43 wins rank him fifth all-time, among the school's basketball coaches. Four of Rodriguez's basketball players have been inducted into the CSU Hall of Fame.
Baseball was Jim Rodriguez's first love and his teams provided the school with many exciting moments. His 12 seasons is the second longest tenure of any Fenn-CSU baseball coach. His 90 wins are the third most in school baseball history. In addition, three of his baseball players are members of the CSU Hall of Fame. His 1962 squad won a school record-tying eight games. After Fenn became CSU things improved for Rodriguez and his team. From 1967 to1971 the team played .500 or better ball and tied or broke for victories each season.
The 1970 team won 16 games and the winning percentage of .800 is still a record today. 1970 also saw the school's first-ever no-hitter. CSU defeated Slippery Rock as Jerry Wujcik tossed the only perfect game in Fenn-CSU history. Rodriguez's final season as baseball coach was 1971 and was one to remember. CSU won a record 17 games and CSU Hall of Famer Don Yates threw the school's second no-hitter in a victory over Youngstown State.
In addition to coaching, Jim Rodriguez was a teacher and administrator. From 1962 until his retirement in 1994, he was an assistant professor of Physical Education. In 1965, he became the Director of Intramurals and Recreation and held the position until 1994. From 1972-78, Rodriguez served as the Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director. He was Coordinator of Men's Athletics from 1978-90 and in 1990 he became the Assistant Athletic Director. In 1991, he was promoted to Associate Athletic Director, a position he held until his retirement in 1994.
