COLUMBUS, Ohio – The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) presented Adrian College NCAA baseball head coach Craig Rainey '89 with the Lifetime Membership Award last week at the ABCA National Convention. Coach Rainey has been a proud member of the ABCA for 35 years.

Rainey enters his 33rd season as head coach of the Bulldogs and owns a career record of 843-510, good for a .623 winning percentage. The winningest coach in MIAA history, Rainey has guided Adrian to 16 MIAA Regular Season Championships, 11 MIAA Tournament Championships, 17 NCAA Regional appearances, one NCAA Super Regional appearance, and two NCAA Division III College World Series appearances.

Throughout his career, Rainey has coached 166 All-MIAA selections, including 17 MIAA Position Players of the Year, 12 MIAA Pitchers of the Year, 15 MIAA Batting Champions, and 18 All-Americans. He was named ABCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2021, and earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors in 2024 and 2025—the only two seasons the award has been presented. Rainey has also coached five players who signed professional contracts: Ryan Dorow (Texas Rangers, MLB), Tommy Parsons (St. Louis Cardinals, Triple-A), Dugan Darnell (Colorado Rockies, MLB), Mo Hanley (Los Angeles Angels, Rookie), and Pierce Banks (Minnesota Twins, Single-A).

In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Rainey has served as a speaker and panelist at multiple ABCA Conventions during his career.

"Having been here 32 years with Skipper—as a player for four years and now a coach with him for 28—seeing him receive this award from the ABCA was very special," said Adrian College assistant coach Aaron Klotz '98. "I admire his hard work and dedication to one school, Adrian College, and I'm grateful he's allowed me to be a part of it."

Rainey has also served as Adrian College's Director of Athletics since July 2022. He will begin his 33rd season at the helm of the Bulldogs when the team opens the season on the road at LaGrange College on Friday, February 20.