LAKE WALES, FL - Join us on Saturday, March 1, 2025, as Warner University celebrates the incredible legacy of Coach Jeff Sikes! For 40 years, Coach Sikes faithfully served Warner, leaving an eternal impact on countless lives both on and off the baseball field.
To honor him, the Royals’ baseball field will officially be renamed the Sikes Family Field. Mark your calendars for this special day to celebrate a coach, mentor, and friend who truly embodies what it means to be a Royal.

As the head coach of the Royals, Coach Sikes compiled an impressive record of 1,230 wins, 944 losses, and 4 ties. Coach Sikes was and is the longest-serving head coach in the history of the Sun Conference. Under Coach Sikes’s leadership, the Royals made 13 appearances in the NAIA Regional or Opening Round and five appearances in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) World Series. Furthermore, 14 former student-athletes, who played for Coach Sikes, have gone on to play professional baseball in the MLB, and more than 50 have advanced to become high school, college, or professional coaches.

Throughout his coaching career, Coach Sikes accumulated many accolades and awards. He was named NAIA Conference and Regional Coach of the Year several times during his career. In 2001, he was named the Florida Diamond Club Coach of the Year, and in 2013 he was also inducted into the Charter Class Sports Hall of Fame at Warner University. In 2023, Coach Sikes received the distinct honor of being inducted into the Polk County Hall of Fame. Most recently, in January of 2025, Coach Sikes received the prestigious Robert E. “Ish” Smith Achievement Award. This award is bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate unselfish devotion to the promotion of NAIA Baseball. Recipients are nominated and selected by the NAIA Baseball Coaches Association Executive Committee, and the award is one of the highest honors a coach can earn. Coach Sikes was the 24th recipient of this distinguished award.

Schedule of events:
11:00 AM - Luncheon (Ticket purchase required, children 10 and under are FREE)
12:30 PM - Dedication Ceremony
1:00 PM   - Warner University Baseball vs. Mount Vernon Nazarene University (FREE admission)

More event details here: https://www.facebook.com/share/17XvZu4HbJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

To purchase tickets for the luncheon, visit http://warnerroyals.com/tickets.