California State University Northridge Athletics
CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1998
- Class:
- 1964
Robert J. Hiegert was inducted into the CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. Hiegert came to Cal State Northridge, then called San Fernando Valley State College, and was a four-year letterman on the Matadors' baseball team.
In addition, Hiegert was a campus leader, serving as President of his sophomore class, President of Men for Associated Students in 1962, selected to the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, and Athlete of the Year in 1963. After receiving his bachelor's degree in 1963, he was drafted by the California Angels where he played from 1963-64.
Returning to his alma mater to earn his master's degree in 1965, he became an assistant baseball coach. Hiegert assumed the head baseball coaching responsibilities in 1967 and continued in that role for the following 18 seasons.
During his coaching career, Hiegert compiled an impressive 609-412-9 overall record, including a 591-412-8 mark against four-year institutions. His teams won two NCAA Division II National Championships in 1970 and 1984. In January of 1989 he was honored with one of the most prestigious awards given in the baseball coaching profession when he was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Hiegert served as Athletic Director from 1977 to 1995. During his tenure, Northridge teams won 44 conference championships and 25 national championships. He was instrumental in the university's move from NCAA Division II to Division I membership in the Fall of 1990.
Hiegert graduated from San Fernando Valley State College (CSUN) with his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1964 and later earned his master's degree from the university in 1968.
He and his wife Jackie, also a graduate of San Fernando Valley State College, have one daughter, Lorie, and one granddaughter, Monica.Â
On Jan. 27, 2025, with members of the 1970 and 1984 CSUN national championship teams in attendance, Hiegert and his family were presented with a ceremonial plaque celebrating the facility formally being named in his honor, Robert J. Hiegert Field. CSUN Baseball officially played its first home game under the lights at Robert J. Hiegert Field against BYU on Thursday, Feb. 20.
