Kellen Kulbacki (2017) - JMU Athletics Hall of Fame - James Madison University Athletics

Kellen Kulbacki

Induction:
2017
Class:
2013

A dominant hitter and outfielder for the Dukes, Kellen Kulbacki set multiple school and conference records during his career (2005-07) that still stand today. He was a two-time, First Team All-American (2006, 2007) and was selected as Co-National Player of the Year in 2006.

As a freshman, Kulbacki was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team and earned JMU's Kevin Nehring Rookie of the Year Award, setting a JMU freshman record for hits, at bats and doubles. During his sophomore season he was the national Division I leader in home runs (24) and slugging percentage (.943), both of which still stand as JMU records. He also set CAA records in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and home runs while being named VaSID and CAA Player of the Year.

In his final season as a junior, Kulbacki was named CAA Player of the Year, having led the conference in on-base percentage, slugging and walks. He was also an ECAC Division I All-Star, JMU Athletic Director Scholar-Athlete, one of 30 candidates for the Brookes Wallace Award and a semifinalist for both the Dick Houser Trophy and a USA Baseball Golden Spike honoree.

In just three seasons for the Dukes, Kulbacki set career records in home runs (51), extra-base hits (105), slugging percentage (.764) and on-base percentage (.505). He is also second in career batting average (.400) and second in career total bases (446). He became the third-highest draft pick in JMU history in 2007 when he was selected 40^th overall by the San Diego Padres. He played for six seasons in the minor leagues, reaching as high as Double-A.