"I wanted to earn it": Dan Skirka shares the immense significance of Murray State's journey to Omaha
It takes grit and grind every time to make the trek down the road to Omaha, and the road to the College World Series is no different for Murray State University's head baseball coach Dan Skirka.
But this season, that road has a larger burden and a weight more personal. After leading the Racers to school history's first CWS appearance, Skirka said,
"I just wanted to earn it,"
and that speaks to anyone and everyone who's ever pulled for the underdog.
This is not simply one stop on the sport's biggest stage. This is the result of years spent cultivating a program, developing a special culture, and exceeding even the most hopeful expectations over a remarkable season in 2025.
Earning a historic trip to the College World Series
It's been an incredible journey for Murray State to get to Omaha. The Racers began a Cinderella postseason march as a No. 4 regional seed, upsetting traditional power programs such as Ole Miss and Duke in the NCAA Oxford Regional and Durham Super Regional, respectively.
That included a gritty run through the key elimination games that earned them their historic place in the Men's College World Series. Skirka, who was just named the 2025 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Mike Martin National Coach of the Year, has led the Racers to a program-record 44 wins on the season, as well as the first Illinois Valley Conference regular season and tournament championships in program history.
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Coming from modest origins with a focus on recruiting
"the right people rather than the right players,"
has created a close group that can bridge the considerable gap in resources vs the larger competitors. Now they bring all of their school's hopes and thousands of new fans with them to Saturday's opener of the CWS run against UCLA.
The true significance of Omaha for Skirka
As a former player who started his coaching career as an assistant at multiple levels before rejoining the Murray State staff in 2019, it isn't just a professional destination for Dan Skirka visiting Omaha; it's a place that reinforces faith and faith.
Also Read:
Which team is closest to 2025 MLB World Series title? Where do Los Angeles Dodgers rank?
His mantra of
"squeezing every bit of what he could out of his limited resources"
and the added "personal touch" has certainly reflected in a gritty and spirited team. We can feel the time put into this journey from Skirka, as he displays a strong emotional attachment. The Coach of the Year award and the CWS berth are another recognition not only of his coaching, but of the culture he has nurtured.
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