June 5, 2023
In recognition of Mayville State head baseball coach Scott Berry’s retirement, his friends and colleagues, family members, and former players gathered for a day-long celebration at Scott Berry Field and the Mayville Golf Course Saturday, June 3. Activities throughout the day included tailgating and socializing at Scott Berry Field, followed by an alumni game. The program and ballpark meal that had been scheduled to be held at the field were moved indoors because of the high heat, humidity, and possibility of rain.
“The contributions Scott Berry has made to Comet Baseball and Mayville State University are legendary,” said Mayville State University President Dr. Brian Van Horn. “His accomplishments are astonishing, and we are grateful beyond measure for his dedication and loyalty to his alma mater. He has been a positive force in the lives of Mayville 
State baseball players, and we thank him for helping to mentor young baseball players who have become great men and are making a difference in our world. We wish Coach Berry all the best in his retirement.”
The program included reflections and a little bit of roasting by Berry’s wife, Shari; along with former Mayville State President Dr. Gary Hagen; Coach Berry’s son, Mickey; brother, Dean Berry; former player, Lane Curry; and Berry’s former player, assistant coach, and soon-to-be Comets head baseball coach, Billy Tomblin. Unable to attend the festivities in person, former Mayville State Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Mike Moore offered his reflections by phone.
Mayville State athletic director Jay DeCann presented two framed jerseys that commemorate the retiring of Coach Berry’s #11. This is the first time in Mayville State’s history that an athletic coach or player’s number has been retired. Approved by the president’s cabinet in March of 2023, the purpose of the Mayville State University Athletics Retired Jersey policy is to recognize those student-athletes and coaches who have had extraordinary athletic accomplishments during their playing or coaching careers.
Mayville State alumnus and artist Doug Anderson was commissioned by the Mayville State Athletic Department to create art pieces chronicling the history of athletics at Mayville State. The first eight pieces of the collection were unveiled at Mayville State homecoming festivities last fall and are currently on display in the Mayville State HPER and Athletics office area. Anderson created a ninth piece featuring the accomplishments of Coach Berry. The art piece was presented by Myrna Lyng during Coach Berry’s retirement celebration and will soon be on display with the others on the campus of Mayville State.
“Scott Berry day was a fabulous celebration of a legend,” said Mayville State Athletic Director Jay DeCann. “It was great to see our campus, community, and baseball alumni celebrate the career of Coach Berry. We are extremely grateful for the commitment of Coach Berry to Mayville State and Comet Baseball.”
Berry has been an integral part of Comets Baseball since he played for the Comets in the late 1970s. After graduating from Mayville State, Berry coached baseball teams n Ellendale, Binford, Rolla, and Casselton, N.D., then he returned to his alma mater as an assistant baseball coach for Al Meyer in 1981. He became the head coach during the 1982 season. In 75 years, Mayville State has had only two head baseball coaches, Al Meyer and Scott Berry.
One of the foremost and highly respected baseball coaches in America, Scott Berry ran one of the most outstanding college baseball programs in the nation. A member of seven halls of fame and an active participant in local, regional, and national baseball organizations, Berry has kept Mayville State on the collegiate baseball map for more than four decades. In 2010, the baseball field at Mayville State University was named in his honor. Berry retired at the end of the 2022-23 baseball season. See the full list of Coach Scott Berry’s accomplishments at www.mayvillestate.edu/berry.
Photo Captions
Top: Scott Berry (left) and his wife, Shari, display the framed jerseys commemorating the retirement of Coach Scott Berry’s #11.
Second: Many of Scott Berry’s former Mayville State baseball players joined in celebrating with Scott Berry on June 3.
Third: Mayville State alumnus and artist Doug Anderson created this art piece depicting the impact of Scott Berry in Comet Athletics. The piece will be on display at Mayville State with other pieces created by Anderson that chronicle the history of Mayville State athletics.
Bottom: Scott Berry’s family presented him with a customized bat in commemoration of his retirement. In the photo, Shari Berry looks on as Scott’s son, Mickey, presents the bat to Coach Berry.