Kean University

The 1988 Cougar baseball squad reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time behind the pitching of Rich Stroka. The New Jersey Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year and second-team All-American led that 26-18 team with his 9-4 mark on the mound. He struck out 65 batters while walking just 21, and also recorded three saves. Stroka's nine wins during his junior campaign still stand as a Kean season record, and his 16 career victories remained the school mark until 1998.

Stroka notched 157 career strikeouts for his four seasons, during which the Cougars cruised to a 92-68-1 record and claimed the 1986 ECAC Championship. He served as team captain in 1989.

Stroka earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in health and physical education from Kean in 1991.