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Dave Bingham

Inducted 2024

Dave Bingham

Dave Bingham
Born: Tucson Ariz.

Graduated: Palo Verdes (Ariz.) HS, 1979 / Emporia State, 1983

When Dave Bingham left for Emporia State University at the age of 19, he had never set foot east of Arizona. “We got in a ‘57 Chevrolet and took off for Emporia, Kan., to a place we had no idea about where we were headed or what we were going to run into,” Bingham said. “It was an absolute leap of faith, and it couldn’t have worked out any better.”

The decision placed the Arizona native on a path that allowed him to complete his playing career
before flourishing as a baseball coach at two Kansas universities.

In 22 seasons as a head coach – 14 at Emporia State and eight at KU – Bingham compiled an outstanding record of 806-495-2. Even more, he helped each program reach new heights, leading the Hornets to an NAIA national title and the Kansas Jayhawks to the College World Series.

Bingham was born Nov. 19, 1948, in Tucson, Ariz. After graduating from Palo Verde (Ariz.) High School in 1966, he attended the University of Arizona in his hometown of Tucson. He played baseball for the Wildcats in 1967 and 1968 before deciding to make the nearly 1,100-mile trek to Emporia and finish his playing career for the Hornets.

As a shortstop and third baseman, Bingham helped Emporia State reach the NAIA World Series in 1969 and 1970. Bingham then joined the Washington Senators organization and played professionally for the Class A Geneva (N.Y.) Senators in 1971.

He returned to Emporia State as an assistant coach in 1972 before becoming the head coach in 1974. In 14 seasons, he directed the Hornets to a 557-270-2 record with eight conference championships, five NAIA World Series appearances and the NAIA national championship in 1978. Bingham received NAIA Coach of the Year honors in 1976, 1984 and 1986.

Following his successful run at Emporia State, Bingham took over the baseball program at KU in 1988. Over eight seasons, he directed the Jayhawks to a 249-225 record and a trip to the College World Series in 1993.

He also coached at the international level. Bingham earned silver and gold medals, respectively, as an assistant for the U.S. Olympic team in 1984 and 1988. During his time with Team USA, he coached such baseball standouts as Barry Larkin, Mark McGwire and Will Clark.

In addition to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Bingham has been inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, the Emporia State Athletics Hall of Fame, the University of Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame and the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.

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