Lamar University Athletics

Symbolic of the traditional student-athlete, David Bernsen mixed athletics with academics and campus leadership. He posted strong grades in earning a law degree, served as student body president and was outstanding as a right-handed pitcher in baseball.

Bernsen had a superb four-year career in baseball, but was especially magnificent in 1971 when he hurled Lamar to its first Southland Conference baseball championship. That season, he won six games in nine starts, posted a 4-0 league record, led the SLC with a 1.89 earned run average and tossed four shutouts, including a one-hit job against Baylor.

For his 1971 performance, he was picked to the All-Southland Conference team and won the Johnny Sain Award as the league’s outstanding pitcher. At the end of his collegiate career, he held Lamar records for wins (17), strikeouts (165), games started (35), complete games (18) and shutouts (6). Bernsen remained an active Lamar University supporter, including two terms as president of the Hall of Honor.