Riggle, Wiggs inducted into NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, class of 2025
Charlotte, NC: The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has announced the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, class of 2025. Both inductees will be honored in Grand Junction, CO, before the 2025 NJCAA DI Baseball World Series begins.
Ron Riggle | Coach | Lincoln Land Community College (IL)
Ron Riggle was a staple at Lincoln Land Community College for over 34 years, serving as assistant baseball coach, head baseball coach, and athletic director. As a baseball coach, Riggle led the Loggers to a 734-461 record, five regional titles, four NJCAA World Series appearances, and was named Region 24 Coach of the Year four times.
He coached 18 All-Americans, including the 2013 NJCAA Division II National Player of the Year, Ryan Aper. In addition, he coached three Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winners. A total of 12 players coached by Riggle were drafted by major league teams, including Nick Maton, who was called up to the MLB by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021.
Riggle was an assistant coach for four trips to the NJCAA National Tournament, including two Lincoln Land National Championships in 1994 and 2000. Both teams were inducted into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame. In 2016, Ron was selected as the recipient of the LLCC Administrative Distinguished Service Award for his leadership, service, and outstanding contributions to the college community. Riggle was awarded the NJCAA Loyalty Award in 2024.
Ron retired as the athletic director of Lincoln Land in June 2024, but still serves NJCAA Region 24 as its Board of Regents Representative. He is also the NJCAA Division II Baseball Committee Chair.
Johnny Wiggs | Coach | Santa Fe College (FL)/ Polk State Community College (FL)
Longtime Santa Fe College head baseball coach Johnny Wiggs has built one of the top programs in Region 8. Under Wiggs' leadership, the Saints have accumulated a 750-440 record and two JUCO World Series appearances. He has won nine Mid-Fla. Conference Championships, two FCSAA Championships, and has been named District Coach of the year twice.
Wiggs led the Saints in the 2009 JUCO World Series and reached the national championship game against Howard (TX). In a 10-inning thriller, Santa Fe sent the game into extra innings off a Keon Broxton double but fell just short in the 10th. Three Saints from the 2009 team made the JUCO World Series All-Tournament Team.
Over 252 former players have moved on to the next level, and four former players have played in Major League Baseball (MLB). In addition to being on the field, Wiggs is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and a current FCSAA State Baseball Committee member.
Before his time in Gainesville, Wiggs was the head coach at Polk State Community College. He spent eight seasons as the head skipper there between 1999-2006. Wiggs had over 70 players sign with four-year programs or professionally. Prior to Polk, Wiggs was an assistant coach at Santa Fe, Jacksonville University, and the University of Florida.