Haas named to ETBU Tiger Athletics Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

  • From left is Haas and ETBU Vice President for Student Engagement and Athletics/ Athletic Director, Ryan Erwin, who presented the HOF plaque.
    From left is Haas and ETBU Vice President for Student Engagement and Athletics/ Athletic Director, Ryan Erwin, who presented the HOF plaque.

    By Jimmy Appelt

    jimmy.appelt@lavacacountytoday.com

    Former Hallettsville Brahma baseball player, Nathan Haas, was named to the East Texas Baptist University Tiger Athletics Hall of Fame at ceremonies held in Marshall on Friday, April 19.

    Haas, who played centerfield for the Brahmas in 1996-97, went on to play for the ETBU Tigers following his high school graduation.

    After being red-shirted his freshman year (1998), Haas went on to have a sterling career playing rightfield for the Tigers from 1999 to 2002. 

    While at ETBU, Haas played on three National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) national tournament teams in 1999, 2000, and 2001. In 2001 the Tigers finished as the national runner-up.

    Haas helped Tiger Baseball to 101 wins in his four seasons and earned NCCAA All-American honors in 2000. He was also a two-time All-ASC East (American Southwest Conference) selection being named to the first team in 2000 and second team in 2002.

    In ETBU’s top 10 offensive categories, Haas is listed in six of them including third in RBI (137), fifth in triples (9), sixth in runs scored (129) and hits (176), seventh in batting average (.380), and 10th in home runs (23).

    “I hope my teammates when they look back that they remember me not for my stats, but for my defense as I hung my hat on that. I loved playing right field and being out there. I loved that our pitcher knew that whenever a ball was hit in right field that it was going to be caught and thrown in,” Haas said during his induction speech. “The things that make you successful on the field – your sacrifice, dedication, focus, and teamwork – these are also the things that make you successful out in the workforce. Never forget that these four pillars will help you out in life.”

    While at HHS, Haas played centerfield in 1996 and 1997 and was a vital component in helping the Brahmas win the Class AAA State Baseball Championship in 1997.

    “Nathan was an enjoyable young man to coach and was very instrumental in helping us win the state championship,” former HHS Brahma baseball coach (yours truly) Jim Appelt said. “His ability to cover the centerfield position from alley to alley, along with coming through with key hits when needed, helped us have the outstanding years.”

    Haas graduated from ETBU in 2002 with a BBA in Marketing and a minor in Finance.

    He married ETBU Athletic Hall of Famer and former softball player Missy Mohon. They have two daughters, Madison (13) and Isabella (8), and reside in Weatherford.

    Nathan is the son of Linda and the late Milton Haas, and has two brothers, Bo and twin brother, Nicholas.

    (Photo courtesy of ETBU)