The North Alabama Lions baseball team brought home two distinguished titles at the fourth Annual Rocket City Awards, held in Huntsville, Alabama. The ceremony celebrated outstanding performances from the region’s collegiate programs, and the Lions walked away with both College Coach of the Year and College Athlete of the Year.
Head coach Jad Prachniak received the Coach of the Year award after guiding the team to its most successful Division I campaign to date, finishing with a 31‑28 overall record and a spot in the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship Game. The season also marked the program’s first 30‑win campaign since the transition to Division I, a milestone that underscored the steady upward trajectory under Prachniak’s leadership.
A Milestone for the Program
The 30‑win mark represented more than a statistical benchmark; it signaled a cultural shift within the program. Each successive year under Prachniak has produced a higher win total, culminating in a conference championship appearance that highlighted the team’s competitiveness on a regional stage.
Senior left fielder Nash Rippen was named College Athlete of the Year, capping a standout career with a record‑breaking 53 walks in a single season. His performance earned him selections to both the All‑ASUN First Team and the ASUN All‑Tournament Team, reinforcing his status as one of the conference’s most valuable players.
Rippen’s achievement was shared by teammate Dylan Coleman, who joined him on the All‑ASUN First Team, becoming the first Lions duo to secure first‑team all‑conference honors during the Division I era. Their recognition reflected the depth of talent cultivated under Prachniak’s system.
The double award haul not only celebrates individual excellence but also reinforces the program’s rising profile as it continues to build on a foundation of steady improvement and competitive play.