Nick Zaleski (2026) - Hall of Honor

Nick Zaleski

Induction:
2026

A four-year standout first baseman for the Bearkats, Zaleski played in 200 games as a Bearkat and helped head coach Mark Johnson's squads to three straight Southland Conference tournament titles and NCAA Regional berths in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

A native of Sugar Land, Zaleski ranks among the greats in Bearkat baseball after hitting .337 in his career with a .499 slugging percentage, .408 on-base percentage, 238 hits, 50 doubles, 21 homers and 153 RBI. He currently ranks sixth all-time at Sam Houston in career hits (238) and runs (147) and is third in career doubles (50).

He turned in his best season as a senior when he hit .419 with nine homers, 56 RBI and 22 doubles as part of a Bearkat squad which closed the year at the NCAA Houston Regional. His 99 total hits that season still ranks fifth all-time in a single-season at Sam Houston, while his .419 batting average still holds as the second-highest in a season in program history.

Those numbers pushed him to a PING! Baseball All-America selection and to a spot on the All-Southland Conference second team, bettered only by at first base by Paul Goldschmidt of Texas State, an eventual MVP of the National League.

Zaleski went on to play two years professionally in the Toronto Blue Jays organization before joining the college baseball coaching ranks. He spent the next decade as an assistant coach with stops at UTSA, McNeese and Tarleton before being named the head coach at UIW ahead of the 2026 season.