College Sports

NACOGDOCHES — Stephen F. Austin athletics director Robert Hill announced Wednesday the promotion of Johnny Cardenas as head coach of the Lumberjacks baseball program.

He has served as the interim head coach as soon as it became vacant in June.

Hill said he has been very impressed with his knowledge of the game, coaching, recruiting ability and eye for talent.

Cardenas was hired in August 2005 and has served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, and has held head coaching positions in the Texas Collegiate League for the past two summers, earning top honors for coaching while there.

Cardenas enjoyed a successful college career as a former TCU standout and finally broke into professional baseball after being picked up by the Seattle Mariners where he played Class A ball with future big league stars Raul Ibanez and Jason Varitek.

He continued his professional career for six years with different organizations such as Chicago White Sox and broke into the major leagues with the Texas Rangers in 1997.

Cardenas will take over a SFA program that is set to begin its fourth year back after an 11-year hiatus. SFA has compiled a 71-98 record since its return, including a 2006 season that saw the Jacks put together a 31-28 mark and qualify for the Southland Conference tournament for the first time in school history.