Tom Stubbs, who coached baseball at University of the Pacific for nearly two decades and helped shape the school’s sport sciences program, died March 4 at the age of 90.

Stubbs joined Pacific in 1963 and remained at the university for 36 years before retiring in 1999. He held various roles during his tenure, including head baseball coach, assistant football coach, assistant athletic director, associate athletic director and professor. He also served as interim athletic director from 1983-84 and 1988-89.

During his nearly two decades at the helm of the baseball program, 18 of his players went on to play professionally. He was inducted into Pacific’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

Stubbs’ philosophy during his years at Pacific was: “It’s amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.”

In the classroom, Stubbs started off as an assistant professor of physical education and later helped develop a sport management program within the Department of Physical Education and Recreation.

He served as chair of the department from 1988-99. During that time, he helped transform it into the Department of Sport Sciences, now known as Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, which was the largest enrolled department in the university for several years.

“On both fronts (department chair and associate athletic director), Tom was tireless in his dedication to and efforts on behalf of Pacific,” said Professor Emerita Peg Ciccolella, a former colleague in what was then the Department of Sports Sciences. “He was truly a servant leader who was committed to helping faculty and students alike. It was my privilege to know him.”

In a 2001 book celebrating Pacific’s sesquicentennial, Stubbs was honored as a “professor who changed my life,” with a former student writing: “He consistently encouraged me to do my best on and off the field. His leadership and guidance have remained with me today.”

A celebration of life will be held Friday, April 18 from 1-3 p.m. at Billy Hebert Field in Stockton.