Bio: Derick Urquhart

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-Derick Urquhart- 

urqderick-dugout.jpgDerick Urquhart is a native of Florence, SC, attending South Florence High where he was a three time All-State outfielder and three time All-Region player. He was also named the Bruins Offensive Player of the Year twice, helping lead the Bruins to a #7 national ranking as a senior. 

After high school Urquhart signed with the University of South Carolina, where he was a four year starter for the Gamecocks. As a senior, he led the team in HR’s (20) and RBI’s (79), helping the Gamecocks peak at #3 in the country. He finished his career in the top five all-time for many of USC’s records, including runs scored (1st), hits (2nd), home runs (7th), RBI’s (5th), total bases (2nd), doubles (3rd) and games played (3rd). Honors include being team captain, winning the Coaches Award, named to NCAA Coral Gables All-Regional team, named a finalist for the SEC Sportsmanship Award, winning USC’s male sportsmanship award and, more recently, being named to two different USC All-Era teams.

UrqDerick HOF19fbgmAfter college, Urquhart was taken in the 16th round by the Montreal Expos. He spent six seasons in pro ball with the Expos and Anaheim Angels that included being named to the Texas League All-Star game in 2002 and reaching Triple-A in 2003. 

Following his playing career, Urquhart settled back in Florence where he now leads the Florence American Legion baseball team. In his 14 seasons, he is the program’s all time winningest coach in its 85 year existence, with an overall record of 392-117.  His 392 wins is good for 2nd all time in South Carolina legion baseball history.

Florence has advanced to a state record 6 consecutive state title games, winning it all 4 times (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017). In 2012, Urquhart led Florence to its first state and regional title since 1943, and its first ever appearance in the American Legion World Series, finishing 5th in the country. 11 former players have gone on to play professionally while 27 have signed D-1. 

In 2010, Urquhart was inducted into the Florence Athletic Hall of Fame, serves on the Hall of Fame committee and was its president 2015-2016. He began work with Diamond Prospects in 2010 as an area scout in the Pee Dee and eastern part of the state. He is married to wife Amy and they have a daughter Cate (8) and son Fisher (1).