MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Auburn University at Montgomery baseball alum and Hall of Famer Pookie Wilson completed his bachelor's degree in December, marking a full-circle moment in a career defined by excellence on the field, longevity in professional baseball, and a lifelong commitment to player development.
 
Wilson starred at AUM from 1988–92 and remains one of the most accomplished players in program history. He still holds school career records for runs (222), hits (286), at-bats (776), doubles (43), and stolen bases (130), while also setting multiple single-season marks during his collegiate career. Wilson posted a .376 career batting average and earned NAIA Second Team All-American honors before moving on to the professional ranks.
 
In 1990, Wilson's collegiate success led to international competition as he was selected to the USA Collegiate National Team. He helped Team USA capture a bronze medal at the Baseball World Cup, batting .333 against top international competition.
 
Following his AUM career, Wilson played professionally from 1992–97 in the Florida Marlins organization, beginning with the Salt Lake City Trappers, where he hit above .330 during his rookie season. He advanced through the Marlins' system with stops at Kane County (Class A), Brevard County (High-A), Portland (Double-A), and Charlotte (Triple-A), spending most of his career as an outfielder.
 
After retiring from professional play, Wilson transitioned into scouting and coaching. He served as an area scout for the Montreal Expos organization before returning to the Marlins as the Outfield and Baserunning Coordinator from 1999–2001. During that time, he also worked as a hitting coach with the Utica Blue Sox.
 
Wilson later joined the Kansas City Royals organization from 2002–04, serving as a minor league hitting coach with the Spokane Indians and Idaho Falls Chukars. His coaching career emphasized player preparation, fundamentals, and mentorship, an approach shaped by his own experience transitioning from an everyday starter to role player during his professional career.
 
In the mid-2000s, Wilson founded Pookie Wilson Baseball, a private instruction program based in Montgomery that focused on developing young baseball and softball players. His work in player development continued internationally in 2019, when he served as head coach of the Preston Baseball Club in Australia.
 
Wilson was inducted into the AUM Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006, recognizing both his on-field accomplishments and lasting impact on the program.
 
More than three decades after first arriving on campus, Wilson returned to Auburn University at Montgomery in 2022with a renewed sense of purpose to complete his degree. The decision was sparked by a conversation with his son, who was entering his sophomore year of college, and served as a moment of reflection for Wilson on the importance of finishing what he started.
 
After stepping away from coursework years earlier to pursue a professional baseball career, Wilson initially found the idea of returning to school intimidating, particularly with the evolution of online learning platforms and technology. However, with encouragement from AUM faculty and staff, he committed to the process, enrolling in online coursework through AUM while supplementing classes through approved transfer credits. Wilson completed his final requirements in December 2025, earning his degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
 
Wilson credits the welcoming and supportive environment at AUM for making his return possible, noting that faculty members went out of their way to help him navigate the process and stay on track. He hopes his experience serves as encouragement for former student-athletes and alumni who may feel hesitant about returning to school.
 
"I want people to know it's never too late to finish your degree," Wilson said. "I left school to chase my dream, and baseball gave me so much, but education still mattered. Coming back was intimidating at first, especially with how much technology has changed, but once I committed to it, I realized I could do it. AUM made the process welcoming and supportive, and that made all the difference. If my story helps even one person believe they can come back and finish, then it's worth sharing."
 
One of the most meaningful moments of Wilson's graduation came when he discovered he would be walking alongside former teammate Otis Dunning, who played at AUM from 1988–91. The two reconnected on graduation day, sharing memories from their early days on campus and reflecting on the journey that brought them back to the same place decades later. What began as a chance encounter turned into a powerful reminder of the lifelong bonds formed through AUM baseball.


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