Hall of Fame
Tommy Stewart left his hometown of Daingerfield, Texas, to come to Southern Arkansas as an outfielder, but ended his career (1992-1995) as an All-America shortstop.
Known as “Scooter” during his time with the Muleriders, Stewart helped lead SAU to its final two AIC and NAIA District 17 championships in 1994 and 1995 before the athletic program’s move to NCAA Division II.
In his senior season, Stewart led the team hitting .474 with a .703 slugging percentage and had an on-base percentage of .530. He was named All-AIC and both the conference and NAIA Southwest Region Player of the Year, and was a second team NAIA All-America selection. But what Stewart received the most national attention for was setting a NAIA national record by hitting safely in 54 consecutive games.
Stewart’s 54-game hitting streak actually began late in his junior season of 1994, and as a switch hitter the next year he erased the old record of 44 with ease. Only two others in all of baseball history have hit in more consecutive games, New York Yankee Hall of Fame legend Joe DiMaggio with 58, and major-leaguer Robin Ventura with 56, when he played collegiately at Oklahoma State.
Improving in every category throughout his Southern Arkansas career, Stewart ended his four years with a career batting average of .367, a .520 slugging percentage and a .414 on-base percentage. He obviously still holds the career hitting streak record for the Muleriders and the season record of 51. Stewart is still second all-time at SAU in games played (212), hits in a season (91 in 1995) and batting average in a season (.474 in 1995).
Stewart signed and had a brief professional baseball career with the Houston Astros, before returning to Daingerfield where he served as assistant baseball coach for four years. He currently is in his sixth season as head coach at Hughes Springs, Texas, where his teams have compiled a five-year record of 125-24-1 and collected four district championships. His 2006 squad made the finals of the class AA state championship.
Stewart and his wife, Kara, have two daughters, Calli and Briley.
