Alumnus Cory Lehman Inducted into Siena Heights Athletic Hall of Fame
Cory Lehman, a 2008 Central Catholic graduate, was recently inducted into the Siena Heights University Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Cory is one of the most decorated players in the history of the Saints baseball program. He was named 2012 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Player of the Year, Rawlings NAIA Gold Glove shortstop, NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, 2-time first-team All-WHAC and all-academic, and 2-time All-WHAC Honorable Mention. He wrapped up his collegiate career in the school’s Top 10 in at-bats, hits, runs scored, doubles, triples, RBI, batting average, and walks; and in the Top 10 in a single season for at-bats, hits, doubles, triples, and batting average.
At Central Catholic, Cory was a three-year starting shortstop for the Fighting Irish. He was 1st-Team All-City three years, which was a rare accomplishment. He was instrumental in leading CCHS to the 2008 Toledo City League Championship.
"Cory hated to lose more than he enjoyed winning,” said Jeff Mielcarek, Central Catholic’s head baseball coach. “He led by example, as well as verbally each and every day. Cory never cut corners on the diamond, and he never allowed any of his teammates to do so either. No matter who the player was, if Cory felt that they could do better, he let them know. He was a very respected and great teammate."
According to Mielcarek, Cory went to Siena Heights to play both basketball and baseball. During his freshman year, his basketball season ended on a Thursday and the baseball team was leaving for Florida the next day. “Cory got on the bus without any kind of baseball practice, started at shortstop and batted lead-off in their first game and never came out of the lineup for the next four years at SHU,” Jeff said. “In addition to being inducted into the SHU Hall of Fame, he and his CCHS classmate, Brett Kuebler, were selected to the Siena Heights Baseball All-Decade Team."
Cory graduated from Siena Heights in 2013 and has an undergraduate degree in K-12 special education and a master’s degree in educational leadership. He currently works at Central Catholic as Director of Enrollment.
“I’m truly humbled by the opportunity to be a part of Siena Heights’ Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022,” Cory said. “When you get inducted into a hall of fame, there are obviously a lot of people that congratulate you and are very proud of you. For me, it was all made possible because of the coaches I played for, and all the teammates I had over the years. This award is about them as well! The foundation that Central Catholic provided me allowed me to continue my academic and athletic career at a great university and prepared me well to do the things I was able to accomplish.”
LEHMAN IN SHU CAREER RECORD BOOK
2nd in batting average - .351
2nd in hits - 243
2nd in doubles - 53
3rd in runs scored - 146
T7 in triples - 8
9th in RBI - 99
LEHMAN IN SHU SEASON RECORD BOOK
5th in hits - 80 (2012)
T5th in doubles - 19 (2012)
T7th in batting average - .377 (2012)
T7 in triples - 5 (2012)
