Dave Van Horn, the 65‑year‑old architect of Arkansas baseball, has been selected for the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame’s 2027 class. He will be formally inducted on January 8 at the ABCA Convention in Chicago, where his contributions to the sport will be honored before a national audience.
Van Horn’s journey in college baseball stretches back to his early days as a head coach at Texarkana Community College, where he posted a 97‑42 record and captured an NJCAA national title in 1994. He later guided Central Missouri State to a Division II championship before ascending to Division I, where he helmed programs at Northwestern State, Nebraska, and finally Arkansas.
A Record of Excellence
During his 38‑year career, Van Horn amassed a 1,559‑734 record and more than 1,500 wins, placing him among the most victorious coaches in collegiate history. At Arkansas he compiled a 974‑494 ledger, ranking second only to a legendary predecessor in program history. His teams have reached the College World Series ten times, and he has secured regular‑season conference titles at Arkansas, Nebraska and Northwestern State.
The impact of Van Horn’s leadership extends beyond wins and losses. Three of his Arkansas pupils have captured the Golden Spikes Award, and his No. 8 jersey was retired by McLennan College earlier this year in recognition of his collegiate playing career. He also earned induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 and the UA Sports Hall of Honor in 2024.
The 2027 Hall of Fame class will feature Van Horn alongside other distinguished figures such as Ritch Price, Scott Berry, Brian Shoop and Stu Fritz. The induction ceremony will mark the sixth hall of fame honor for Van Horn and his fourth as a coach, underscoring a career defined by sustained excellence and mentorship.
Beyond the diamond, Van Horn’s influence is felt through his involvement with the broader baseball community. He has served on various ABCA committees and contributed to the development of coaching education programs that have shaped generations of assistants and head coaches across the nation.