HENDERSON, Nev. (October 20, 2022) – Some names become synonymous with the identity of a collegiate program.
Sometimes it's a legendary head coach, sometimes it's a transcendent player, sometimes it's even a heady administrator. Regardless of who they are, these individuals represent the best of what programs have to offer and what they represent. They are pillars of the programs they befriend and deserve to be treated as such.
The College of Southern Nevada Baseball program lost one of those individuals Tuesday, with the program mourning the loss of longtime coach and supporter, Robert Cox. Cox, who was known as 'Mr. C', served as an assistant coach to Tim Chambers from 2000-2013. He was around the program during some of its highest times, including the program's 2003 NJCAA championship.
CSN coach
Nick Garritano was emotional when reflecting on the loss of Cox, particularly when looking at how the Southern Nevada program has lost leaders like Cox, Chambers, and Manny Guerra in the past few years.
"'Mr. C' was always around our program," said Garritano, who is entering his 13
th season leading the Coyotes. "He just loved the kids. He loved UNLV Baseball, he loved CSN Baseball, and he loved the kids in the programs. When you think of CSN Baseball, you think of 'Mr. C'."
Serving as a longtime coach, Cox played a pivotal role in the start of the Southern Nevada program, which has boasted Major League Baseball stars like Bryce Harper and current assistant coach
Mike Dunn. However, it was his positive demeanor that made a difference with all he encountered, not his many successes and accolades.
"'Mr. C' always had a smile on his face," noted Garritano. "He was just a positive person who had a positive impact on everyone he encountered. He was always so positive with the kids. He will be greatly missed."
In later years, Cox notably sat behind home plate for Southern Nevada home games, still working with CSN players in the batting cages and serving as a mentor for the Coyotes coaching staff.
Cox was 82.
