The City of Lenoir City Council honored the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) Cobras Baseball Team Tuesday night and congratulated them on an amazing 2022 season.
Mayor Joe Gibbons read and presented a resolution to Athletic Director Jeff Link during the regular City Council meeting, June 7, 2022.
"We have a long baseball history in Caldwell County. We have champions in Little League, Senior League, high school champions, Legion baseball champions, semi-pro teams from the old days ... and now we have a community college champion," Mayor Gibbons said. "We are very proud of our community college."
After receiving the resolution, Athletic Director Link presented Mayor Gibbons with a champion t-shirt and a signed program from the 2022 NJCAA Baseball World Series program
"We appreciate your support of baseball, Joe, and the City of Lenoir," Athletic Director Link said. "We appreciate what you do for us."
Congratulations to the 2022 CCC&TI Cobras Baseball Team on an Outstanding Season
WHEREAS, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute President Dr. Mark Poarch understands the value of a diverse athletics program in providing enjoyment and opportunities for students; and
WHEREAS, in the fall of 2018, led by Dr. Poarch, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) announced the addition of men’s baseball and women's softball to the athletics program; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 season for both the baseball and softball teams were interrupted by COVID-19, and 2021 was the first full season the teams played; and
WHEREAS, the CCC&TI Cobras Baseball Team plays in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), the governing association of community college, state college, and junior college athletics throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Cobras Baseball Team completed their 2021 and 2022 regular conference schedule with 33 wins and no losses; and
WHEREAS, Cobras Baseball won its first Region 10 Division III Championship in program history, at Moor Park May 9, 2022, in Mooresville, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Cobras Baseball swept the best two of three series to win the NJCAA Mid-Atlantic District Division III Baseball Championship May 13, 2022, in Monroeville, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, the Cobras Baseball Team was ranked #1 in nation in Division III when they advanced to the NJCAA Division III Baseball World Series held at Pioneer Park in Greeneville, Tennessee, May 28 to June 2, 2022, and went 3-2 to finish third completing an amazing run for the team and an impressive achievement for such a young baseball program; and
WHEREAS, the Cobras played 58 games in the 2022 season and finished with 49 wins to only 9 losses, and
WHEREAS, the Cobras Baseball Team players, Coach Frank J. Pait IV, Athletic Director Jeff Link, and CCC&TI President Dr. Mark Poarch should be recognized and honored for this accomplishment;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, I, Mayor Joseph L. Gibbons, on behalf of the City of Lenoir City Council, recognize, honor, and congratulate the CCC&TI Cobras Baseball Team, the coaches and staff, and the players and their parents on an outstanding and truly amazing 2022 season.
This the 7th day of June 2022.
Joseph L. Gibbons, Mayor

Pictured from left: Councilman David Stevens, Councilman Todd Perdue holds the CCC&TI Cobras Baseball Team Region 10 Division III 2022 Championship plaque, Councilman Ralph Prestwood, Athletic Director Jeff link holds the NJCAA Mid-Atlantic District Division III Baseball 2022 Championship plaque, Councilman Ike Perkins, Mayor Joe Gibbons holds the resolution and his signed program and championship t-shirt, and Councilmen Kent Greer and Jonathan Beal.