TAMPA -- University of Tampa’s baseball program has become synonymous with success.

That’s thanks in large part to Joe Urso who’s entering his 22^nd season as head coach.

“It’s a challenge of grabbing a new group every year and making them believe that they’re going to be champions and keeping this tradition going,” Urso said.

As a player, he won a Division II National Championship in 1992.

He’s now a five-time champion as the Spartans head coach, including the program’s 8^th national title in 2019.

“These guys know what it means to me to put this uniform on. I don’t take it for granted and I know the expectations of putting this uniform on, I’m going to do everything I can to keep this tradition going,” Urso said.

The Spartans enter the season ranked No.1 in Division II baseball.

They return eight starts and three of their four top pitchers.

Drew Ehrhard is one of four graduate students. He says the team is motivated to win that ninth title for Urso.

“He is just the man, the myth the legend, you can’t say enough good things about him, his track record speaks for itself,” Ehrhard said.

Former player, Ozzie Timmons is now the hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. In the offseason he spends time helping coach his former team.

As a University of Tampa Hall of Famer, and former MLB pro, he’s seen how Urso has created a winning culture.

“He’s won for number one, that’s why a lot of people like to come here,” Timmons explained. “He treats everybody like a man. Being in pro ball as long as I’ve been, and us playing together here at UT, he treats it like a professional team.”

Throughout his career, Urso has drawn inspiration from all his former coaches, but one tops the list.

“You saw one of our plays we just yell out ‘Joe Maddon play’ we don’t even put a sign on, so Joe definitely did a lot for me when I was with the Angels,” Urso said. “I take a little from each one to develop my style.”

Similar to Joe Maddon, Joe Urso has built a team that’s more like a family.

“He cares about his players on the field, but off the field as well, just always has the open door policy in the office you can go in and talk to him about anything and he’s just an amazing, amazing coach.“