Jay Van Noy

Jay Lowell Van Noy

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 200 lb.
• School Utah State University
• High School North Cache High School
• Debut June 18, 1951
• Final Game June 28, 1951
• Born November 4, 1928 in Garland, UT USA
• Died November 6, 2010 in Logan, UT USA

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Biographical Information

An all-around athlete, Jay Van Noy played in a handful of games in the majors and then went on to become a successful college coach.

Born in Utah, Van Noy attended Utah State University, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. On the gridiron, he starred in two bowl games and was drafted by the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. However, he pursued a baseball career instead and as of 2010 was one of four major leaguers to come out of the school.

After graduation in 1950, Van Noy signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. He reached the majors in 1951 and made his debut on June 18th against the New York Giants, appearing as a pinch hitter in the 9th inning and scoring a run. Three days later, he made his only big league start, playing rightfield while going 0-for-3 with 3 strikeouts at the plate. Overall, he got into 6 games, going hitless in 8 plate appearances (he did draw a walk). He never returned to the majors but continued to play in the minors through 1960.

After his playing days, Van Noy became a successful baseball coach at Brigham Young University in 1957-1959, winning two conference championships. He also assisted the football and basketball coaches. He was then superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department of Logan, Utah. The Utah Sports Hall of Fame named him the best all-around athlete in Utah history.

Van Noy died in 2010 at age 82.

Main source: Utah State (University) Magazine, Spring 2007.