Mike Gillespie Celebration Of Life Ceremony

by • Featured

IRVINE, Calif. — A celebration of life for legendary college baseball coach Mike Gillespie will be held Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 at 2 p.m. at U.C. Irvine’s Anteater Ballpark. Members of the public are invited to attend, and admission is free.

This public Memorial Service will honor Gillespie, who passed away at the age of 80 on July 29, 2020 and will feature speakers from throughout Gillespie’s illustrious 47-year career in college baseball, including former players, head coaches and assistant coaches.

Gillespie’s collegiate coaching career began at College of the Canyons (1971-86), where he won three California state community college titles.

He then took over at Southern California (1987-2006), replacing legendary Head Coach Rod Dedeaux. Gillespie led USC to four College World Series appearances and guided the Trojans to the 1998 national title.

In 2008, Mike was named head coach at U.C. Irvine (2008-2018) where he took the Anteaters to three Super Regionals and the College World Series in 2014. Gillespie became the winningest coach in UCI history (393) wins) before his retirement in 2018.

Notably, Gillespie is one of two collegiate coaches (also Arizona’s Jerry Kindall) to win College World Series titles both as a coach and player.