Former Seminole State College baseball players, along with community supporters and members of the 2023 Trojan squad, gathered on the SSC campus Saturday, Feb. 4 for the annual Trojan Season Kick-Off Banquet. More than 200 guests attended the event.

During the banquet, special recognition was given to the players from the 1983, 1993, 2003 and 2013 Trojan teams, celebrating their anniversaries. Jeff Stych, a member of the 1992 Trojan team and Master of Ceremonies for the event, discussed the accomplishments of each team.

The event’s guest speaker was 2002 Trojan alumni and Purple Heart recipient John Coker. Coker, of Muskogee, was a speedy outfielder and consistent at-bat. Following his time at SSC, he attended Louisiana-Lafayette and was drafted by the San Diego Padres. He would later play for the Evansville Otters, a Frontier League professional baseball team in Evansville, Indiana in 2005, as well as for a professional team in Holland in 2007.

After returning to Oklahoma, he joined the National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan. In September of 2011, Coker was manning a machine gun when his sniper team was attacked. The firefight left three Americans dead and two, including Coker, were severely wounded. Coker spoke to attendees about his career in baseball, his time in the military, and his long road to recovery following his injuries. He spoke about the importance of community, of helping those around you persevere and overcoming obstacles together.

The banquet concluded with Trojan Head Coach Mack Chambers introducing the 2023 team. The baseball team’s next game is against Western Oklahoma State College on Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex.

To follow the Trojan baseball season, visit the College’s athletic website at sscathletics.com for scores, news, and upcoming games.