Athletics Hall of Fame – February 28, 2015
A 1996 graduate of Coker, John Curnias was one of the founding members of the Cobra baseball team, pitching for the Cobras from 1993-96. One of the greatest left-handed pitchers to ever play for the Cobras, Curinas is ranked No. 1 in all-time wins at Coker with a career record of 28-4 on the mound. He also had 14 saves during his career.
During his time at Coker, Curnias led the Cobras to three conference championships, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the 1994 NAIA Mid-East Regional championship and an appearance at the 1994 NAIA World Series. Behind Curnias’ arm, the ’94 Cobras were ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation and they finished the year ranked No. 6 in the NAIA national poll.
A two-time all-conference selection, Curinas posted a record of 8-1 during his senior season and was ranked in the top 50 in the nation in earned run average with a 2.63 ERA in 89 innings pitched. Curnias was also part of one of the greatest accomplishments in baseball. Not only did John throw a perfect game, he did it on the same day that classmate Brian James threw a perfect game. The two threw back-to-back perfect games during a doubleheader against Warren Wilson College in 1993.
Curnias is a native of Irmo, S.C. He currently lives in Columbia, S.C. with his two daughters, Tia Corrine and Emerson Ann. He is the sales manager at Carolina Ceramics.