Hall of Fame
John Major is perfectly happy to call San Bernardino home.
It’s not surprising. Once the Claremont product decided CSUSB was his place to play baseball for head coach Don Parnell and attend college in the fall of 1994, he had a magical time that includes his senior season that became the best ever by a Coyote.
“I told Don that I was ready to pitch every day when I came to the ballpark,’’ Major said. “1996 was a fun year. I knew my career was ending, and yet I didn’t want it to end.’’
Major’s season was a dream in which he led the California Collegiate Athletic Association in games (22), starts (18), victories (11), strikeout (104) and innings pitched (128.2). He was the conference’s pitcher of the year and went to earn All-American honors.
A two-year stint in Texas where he starred for Howard Junior College (1993-94), Major returned to Southern California. He chose to play for CSUSB over nearby UC Riverside and said Parnell “sweet-talked” him into signing for the Coyotes.
“I wanted to come back to California,’’ he said. “Don got to me first.’’
Upon earning his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, Major spent 10 seasons serving as a volunteer coach for Parnell that coincided with a teaching position here in San Bernardino.
He is enjoying his 17th year teaching elementary physical education and gives back to the university that gave him so much.
“I’ve had a handful of student teachers from CSUSB, and I’ve done a lot of observation work with those who want to become teachers,’’ he said. “That I can relate to CSUSB and its kinesiology department, and to student-athletes is particularly gratifying.
“I hope they see that the lessons I share with my students is positive. Where else could I have a job where I get to be outside and play games? And that I get to see the mountains every day and I can see the CSUSB campus from my job.’’
Major and his wife Brandy are the parents of son Jackson and daughter Stella. The family makes its home in Highland. A piano player since the age of seven, John and former teammate Mike Landers have a band named “Strange Brew” that plays weekends throughout the Inland Empire.
John readily admits his educational and athletics experiences at CSUSB paved the way for future successes.
“(Baseball) was the only reason at the high school age for me to go to college,’’ he said. “Once I got going here, I realized I had the potential to do well. I am very appreciative that I had strong guidance from both Don and my wife.
“Going to CSUSB changed my life. You don’t think of it at the time. I met my wife, and to this day I consider Don my best friend.’’
