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{{Short description|American baseball coach (1954–2022)}}
{{BLP sources |date=September 2010}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox college coach
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Corky Palmer
| name = Corky Palmer
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| alt =
| current_title =
| caption =
| current_team =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1954|3|14}}
| sport = [[Baseball]]
| birth_place = [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi]], U.S.
⚫
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|8|10|1954|3|14}}
| current_conference =
| death_place = [[Collins, Mississippi]], U.S.
| current_record =
⚫
| alma_mater =
⚫
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|3|14}}
| birth_place =
| player_years1 = 1974–1977
⚫
| player_team1 = [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball|Southern Miss]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| coach_years1 = 1987–1996
| coach_team1 = [[Meridian Community College]]
| overall_record = 458–281
| contract =
| coach_years2 = 1998–2009
⚫
| coach_team2 = [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball|Southern Miss]]
| bowl_record =
| overall_record = {{ubl|409–160 (Meridian)|458–281 (Southern Miss)}}
⚫
| tournament_record =
| CFbDWID =
| bowl_record =
⚫
| tournament_record =
| championships =
| awards =
| championships =
| awards = Conference USA Baseball Coach of the Year (2003)
| coaching_records =
| coaching_records =
⚫
| player_years =
⚫
| player_teams = [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball|Southern Miss]]
| player_positions =
| coach_years = 1998–2009
⚫
| coach_teams = [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball|Southern Miss]]
| CFBHOF_year =
| CFBHOF_id =
| BASKHOF_year =
}}
}}

'''Carlton Devan "Corky" Palmer''' (born March 14, 1954) is a retired [[college baseball]] [[head coach]]. He was the coach of the [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball]] team for 12 seasons, before retiring at the end of the 2009 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/jun/17/palmers-career-ends-loss/|title=Palmer's career ends with loss|date=17 June 2009|work=Natchez Democrat|publisher=[[Associated Press|AP]]|accessdate=19 October 2010}}</ref> In his final season, he led the Golden Eagles to the school's first appearance in the [[2009 College World Series|College World Series]].
'''Carlton Devan''' "'''Corky'''" '''Palmer''' (March 14, 1954 – August 10, 2022) was an American [[college baseball]] coach. He was [[head coach]] at Meridian Community College before serving as the head coach of the [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball]] team for 12 seasons, retiring at the end of the 2009 season. In his final season, he brought the Golden Eagles to the [[2009 NCAA Division I baseball tournament|College World Series]], [[University of Southern Mississippi|USM]]'s first appearance there.

==Early life==
Palmer was born in [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi]],<ref name="Vicksburg Post obit">{{cite news|title=Legendary Southern Miss baseball coach Corky Palmer dies|url=https://www.vicksburgpost.com/2022/08/10/legendary-southern-miss-baseball-coach-corky-palmer-dies/|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 14, 2022|newspaper=The Vicksburg Post}}</ref> on March 15, 1954.<ref name=Eckert>{{cite news|title=Corky Palmer, who coached Southern Miss baseball to College World Series, dies at 68|url=https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/sports/college/southern-miss/baseball/2022/08/10/former-southern-miss-baseball-coach-player-corky-palmer-dies/10165541002/|first=David|last=Eckert|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 14, 2022|newspaper=Hattiesburg American}}</ref><ref name="Southern Miss obit">{{cite news|title=Former Southern Miss Baseball Coach Corky Palmer Passes Away|url=https://southernmiss.com/news/2022/8/10/former-southern-miss-baseball-coach-corky-palmer-passes-away.aspx|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 14, 2022|publisher=University of Southern Mississippi}}</ref> He attended [[Hattiesburg High School]] in his hometown, graduating in 1972.<ref name="WDAM obit">{{cite news|title=Final arrangements set for USM icon Corky Palmer|url=https://www.wdam.com/2022/08/12/final-arrangements-set-usm-icon-corky-palmer/|date=August 12, 2022|access-date=August 14, 2022|publisher=[[WDAM-TV]]}}</ref> He played [[catcher]] for its baseball team from 1970 to 1972 and earned three [[varsity letter]]s in the sport.<ref name=Eckert/><ref name=MSHOF>{{cite web|title=Carlton "Corky" Palmer – Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee|url=https://msfame.com/inductees/carltan-palmer/|access-date=August 14, 2022|publisher=Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame}}</ref> He then studied coaching and athletic administration at the [[University of Southern Mississippi]],<ref name="WDAM obit"/> where he played for the [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball|Southern Miss Golden Eagles]] from 1974 to 1977.<ref name="Southern Miss obit"/> During his time with the team, Palmer recorded a .274 [[Batting average (baseball)|batting average]], lettered in all four seasons, and served as captain during his [[Senior (education)|senior year]].<ref name="Southern Miss obit"/><ref name=MSHOF/> He later gained a [[master's degree]] in education from [[William Carey University]].<ref name="WDAM obit"/>

==Coaching career==
After graduating, Palmer first worked as an assistant coach at [[Newton High School (Mississippi)|Newton High School]] from 1978 to 1979. He subsequently became head coach of Lee High School in [[Columbus, Mississippi]]. Under his leadership, the school won three straight Little 10 Conference titles from 1980 to 1982 and shared a district title in 1980. Palmer then worked as head coach of [[Columbia High School (Mississippi)|Columbia High School]], leading the school to a 102–52 record and winning the [[Mississippi High School Activities Association]] (MHSAA) South State championship in 1983.<ref name="Southern Miss obit"/><ref name=MSHOF/>

Upon leaving Columbia after the 1984 season, Palmer went back to the Golden Eagles as an assistant coach in pitching. During his two years in that capacity, one pitcher was honored as an All-[[Metro Conference]], while another was selected to the all-[[Metro Conference Baseball Tournament|Metro tournament]]. The 1986 team posted a 31–30 record—the first of 36 winning seasons over the next 37 years for the school.<ref name="Southern Miss obit"/> Palmer went on to serve as head coach of [[Meridian Community College]] from 1987 to 1996. The school advanced to the [[JUCO World Series]] in 1993, 1994, and 1996, finishing runner-up in 1996 having achieved third-place two years before. It also won five [[MISS-LOU Junior College Conference|Miss-Lou Conference]] titles, in addition to making three appearances in the [[NJCAA Region 23]] tournament. For his part, Palmer was named Region 23 Coach of the Year in 1992–1994 and 1996. He finished with a 409–160 record at Meridian.<ref name="Southern Miss obit"/><ref name=MSHOF/>

Palmer returned to the Golden Eagles for a third stint in 1997, having been convinced by coach [[Hill Denson]] go back as an assistant coach. Upon Denson's retirement at the end of the season, Palmer was appointed head coach of the Golden Eagles.<ref name=SMAA>{{cite web|title=Corky Palmer '77|url=https://www.southernmissalumni.com/s/995/bp18/interior.aspx?sid=995&gid=1&calcid=2579&calpgid=61&pgid=689&crid=0|access-date=August 14, 2022|publisher=Southern Miss Alumni Association}}</ref> He led the school to the regular season and tournament titles of the [[2003 Conference USA baseball tournament]],<ref name=Eckert/> in addition to eight appearances in the NCAA tournament (including seven consecutive from 2003 to 2009).<ref name=Eckert/><ref name="Southern Miss obit"/> He was honored as Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2003.<ref name="Southern Miss obit"/> Palmer revealed on May 1, 2009, that he was retiring as head coach at the end of [[2009 NCAA Division I baseball season|the season]]. The Golden Eagles, who were having a mediocre season up until that point, improved its performance and eventually reached [[2009 NCAA Division I baseball tournament|its first College World Series]].<ref name="CWS2009">{{cite web|url=https://m.natchezdemocrat.com/2009/06/17/unc-eliminates-eagles-from-world-series/ |title=UNC eliminates Eagles from World Series |date=June 17, 2009|work=Natchez Democrat|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|accessdate=August 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816093309/https://m.natchezdemocrat.com/2009/06/17/unc-eliminates-eagles-from-world-series/ |archive-date=August 16, 2022 }}</ref> It was the school's only appearance in the [[College World Series]] at the time of Palmer's death in 2022.<ref name=Eckert/><ref name="Southern Miss obit"/>

Palmer finished his Golden Eagles coaching tenure with a 458–281 record.<ref name="CWS2009" /> His 458 wins with the school were the third most at the time of his death.<ref name="Southern Miss obit"/> He was inducted into the [[Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2011.<ref name=Eckert/><ref name="Southern Miss obit"/> Eight years later, he was part of the second class inducted into the Hattiesburg Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite news|title=2019 Hattiesburg Hall of Fame Class Announced|url=https://wmcarey.edu/news/2019-08-07/2019-hattiesburg-hall-of-fame-class-announced|date=August 7, 2019|access-date=August 15, 2022|publisher=William Carey University}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Palmer was married to Deborah Bonnett Palmer until his death.<ref name=Eckert/><ref name="WDAM obit"/> They met while studying at the University of Southern Mississippi together. They resided in Hattiesburg during his later years,<ref name=SMAA/> and were members of [[Providence Baptist Church]]. They did not have children.<ref name="WDAM obit"/>

Palmer died on the afternoon of August 10, 2022, at a nursing home in [[Collins, Mississippi]].<ref name=Eckert/><ref name="Southern Miss obit"/> He was 68, and was recovering from a major stroke that occurred after neck surgery exactly two years prior to his death.<ref name=Eckert/><ref>{{cite news|title=USM community comes to the aid of former coach Corky Palmer|url=https://www.wdam.com/2021/06/01/usm-community-comes-aid-former-coach-corky-palmer/|first=Taylor|last=Curet|date=May 31, 2021|access-date=August 14, 2022|publisher=[[WDAM-TV]]}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal|last=Waktins|first=Scott|date=August 10, 2022|url=https://www.sunherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/university-of-southern-mississippi/article264383856.html|title=Legendary Southern Miss baseball coach Corky Palmer passes away at 68|work=Biloxi Sun Herald|publisher=McClatchy|access-date=August 14, 2022}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Sports links}}
* [http://southernmiss.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/palmer_corky00.html Southern Miss profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170809105550/http://www.southernmiss.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/palmer_corky00.html Southern Miss profile]


{{Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball coach navbox}}
{{Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball coach navbox}}
{{Conference USA Baseball Coach of the Year navbox}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Palmer, Corky
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Baseball player and coach
| DATE OF BIRTH = March 14, 1954
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palmer, Corky}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palmer, Corky}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball coaches]]
[[Category:Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball coaches]]
[[Category:Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball players]]

[[Category:Sportspeople from Hattiesburg, Mississippi]]
{{US-baseball-manager-stub}}
[[Category:University of Southern Mississippi alumni]]
[[Category:William Carey University alumni]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches from Mississippi]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Mississippi]]
[[Category:Meridian Eagles baseball coaches]]
[[Category:Baseball catchers]]
[[Category:Baptists from Mississippi]]

Latest revision as of 03:50, 19 June 2023

Corky Palmer
Biographical details
Born(1954-03-14)March 14, 1954
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedAugust 10, 2022(2022-08-10) (aged 68)
Collins, Mississippi, U.S.
Playing career
1974–1977Southern Miss
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1987–1996Meridian Community College
1998–2009Southern Miss
Head coaching record
Overall
  • 409–160 (Meridian)
  • 458–281 (Southern Miss)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
Conference USA Baseball Coach of the Year (2003)

Carlton Devan "Corky" Palmer (March 14, 1954 – August 10, 2022) was an American college baseball coach. He was head coach at Meridian Community College before serving as the head coach of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball team for 12 seasons, retiring at the end of the 2009 season. In his final season, he brought the Golden Eagles to the College World Series, USM's first appearance there.

Early life

[edit]

Palmer was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi,[1] on March 15, 1954.[2][3] He attended Hattiesburg High School in his hometown, graduating in 1972.[4] He played catcher for its baseball team from 1970 to 1972 and earned three varsity letters in the sport.[2][5] He then studied coaching and athletic administration at the University of Southern Mississippi,[4] where he played for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles from 1974 to 1977.[3] During his time with the team, Palmer recorded a .274 batting average, lettered in all four seasons, and served as captain during his senior year.[3][5] He later gained a master's degree in education from William Carey University.[4]

Coaching career

[edit]

After graduating, Palmer first worked as an assistant coach at Newton High School from 1978 to 1979. He subsequently became head coach of Lee High School in Columbus, Mississippi. Under his leadership, the school won three straight Little 10 Conference titles from 1980 to 1982 and shared a district title in 1980. Palmer then worked as head coach of Columbia High School, leading the school to a 102–52 record and winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) South State championship in 1983.[3][5]

Upon leaving Columbia after the 1984 season, Palmer went back to the Golden Eagles as an assistant coach in pitching. During his two years in that capacity, one pitcher was honored as an All-Metro Conference, while another was selected to the all-Metro tournament. The 1986 team posted a 31–30 record—the first of 36 winning seasons over the next 37 years for the school.[3] Palmer went on to serve as head coach of Meridian Community College from 1987 to 1996. The school advanced to the JUCO World Series in 1993, 1994, and 1996, finishing runner-up in 1996 having achieved third-place two years before. It also won five Miss-Lou Conference titles, in addition to making three appearances in the NJCAA Region 23 tournament. For his part, Palmer was named Region 23 Coach of the Year in 1992–1994 and 1996. He finished with a 409–160 record at Meridian.[3][5]

Palmer returned to the Golden Eagles for a third stint in 1997, having been convinced by coach Hill Denson go back as an assistant coach. Upon Denson's retirement at the end of the season, Palmer was appointed head coach of the Golden Eagles.[6] He led the school to the regular season and tournament titles of the 2003 Conference USA baseball tournament,[2] in addition to eight appearances in the NCAA tournament (including seven consecutive from 2003 to 2009).[2][3] He was honored as Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2003.[3] Palmer revealed on May 1, 2009, that he was retiring as head coach at the end of the season. The Golden Eagles, who were having a mediocre season up until that point, improved its performance and eventually reached its first College World Series.[7] It was the school's only appearance in the College World Series at the time of Palmer's death in 2022.[2][3]

Palmer finished his Golden Eagles coaching tenure with a 458–281 record.[7] His 458 wins with the school were the third most at the time of his death.[3] He was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.[2][3] Eight years later, he was part of the second class inducted into the Hattiesburg Hall of Fame.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

Palmer was married to Deborah Bonnett Palmer until his death.[2][4] They met while studying at the University of Southern Mississippi together. They resided in Hattiesburg during his later years,[6] and were members of Providence Baptist Church. They did not have children.[4]

Palmer died on the afternoon of August 10, 2022, at a nursing home in Collins, Mississippi.[2][3] He was 68, and was recovering from a major stroke that occurred after neck surgery exactly two years prior to his death.[2][9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Legendary Southern Miss baseball coach Corky Palmer dies". The Vicksburg Post. August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Eckert, David (August 10, 2022). "Corky Palmer, who coached Southern Miss baseball to College World Series, dies at 68". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Former Southern Miss Baseball Coach Corky Palmer Passes Away". University of Southern Mississippi. August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Final arrangements set for USM icon Corky Palmer". WDAM-TV. August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d "Carlton "Corky" Palmer – Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee". Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Corky Palmer '77". Southern Miss Alumni Association. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "UNC eliminates Eagles from World Series". Natchez Democrat. AP. June 17, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  8. ^ "2019 Hattiesburg Hall of Fame Class Announced". William Carey University. August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  9. ^ Curet, Taylor (May 31, 2021). "USM community comes to the aid of former coach Corky Palmer". WDAM-TV. Retrieved August 14, 2022.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
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