Western Michigan's Athletic Director at the time and namesake of the CWS's first field, Judson Hyames was instrumental in bringing the College World Series to Kalamazoo in 1947 & 1948, the site of the first two College World Series.
Hyames, who served as chairman of the first ever CWS in 1947, coached the Western Michigan baseball team to a 166-62-2 record over 15 seasons (1922-36), before holding the position of Athletic Director until his death.
In 1939, the field at Western Michigan was dedicated in Hyames’ name, and he was inducted into the WMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1974.
