Nick Videll

FUN FACT FRIDAY: Polk State Baseball has nearly 1,400 all-time wins A two-time FCSAA champion, Polk State Baseball has consistently fielded competitive teams over the years. Over the last six years, the Eagles have hit the 30-win mark five times. All-time, the program boasts 1,393 wins. More than one third of those victories have come under current Head Coach Al Corbeil. A six-time conference champion and 2012 FCSAA champion, Corbeil's 534 wins are the most for a coach in Polk State history in any sport. The current head man, however, isn't the only legendary coach to roam the dugout at Bing Tyus Yard. Bing Tyus, for whom the field is currently named, won 418 games over 15 years at the helm. Tyus took over a program that had become defunct from 1977 to 1983 and ultimately led it to its first FCSAA title in 1992. In April, both Tyus and the 1992 team were inducted into the Polk State Athletics Hall of Fame. With the start of the 2027 season less than three months away, the Eagles will enter it with an all-time record of 1,393-973. That amounts to a .589 all-time winning percentage for Polk State Baseball. Corbeil, Tyus, Johnny Wiggs (1999-2006) and Tilrow Morrison (1969-73) all had winning records as head coaches.

Polk State Basketball’s 2026-27 season and Head Coach Marreese Speights’ tenure is off to a splendid start! The Eagles opened the season with a 104-40 rout of Warner University JV on Friday night. Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas told the team he’d give them 50 pushups if they had four or more dunks for the night. The Eagles exceeded that total in the first half and the President made good on his pledge. Coach Speights also felt the support of Rotary Club of Winter Haven during his debut. The Rotarians were out in full force to cheer on the Eagles in the opener. Speights spoke at the nonprofit’s monthly meeting earlier in the week. Prior to the Saturday afternoon’s 129-68 win over Florida College JV, Rev. Trevor Allen of Imprint Ministries was recognized with a framed jersey for his support of Polk State Basketball and Polk State Athletics. Known as "Pastor T," Allen gives generously in in-kind donations to each of Polk State's five athletic teams.

.@PolkState's diamond sports seem ready for Halloween as they wrapped up the fall on Friday. @PolkStBaseball held its 16th annual Costume Game. Buzz Lightyear, Wreck-It Ralph, and Globo Gym owner White Goodman serving as team captains. Earlier in the day, @PolkSoftball wrapped up its fall with a game of backwards softball and kickball in costume. In backwards softball, players must throw and field with their opposite hand and hit from the opposite side of the plate. Full baseball gallery: tinyurl.com/577m4trr Full softball gallery: tinyurl.com/ymrju5x2