ENID — A hero from the University of Oklahoma’s 1994 College World Series championship team was in Enid on Monday, in the midst of his alma mater’s charge for its first title since he and his teammates took Omaha by storm.

Damon Minor, the former Sooner who hit a three-run homer to help guide his team to a 13-5 victory against Georgia Tech in the championship game 16 years ago, was coaching Oklahoma Baseball Academy in its doubleheader against the Enid Rookies at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

Minor was an assistant coach for Oklahoma in 2007 and participated in radio broadcasts of 16 Oklahoma baseball games this season. In an interview before Monday’s game, Minor said this year’s Sooners squad, which defeated South Carolina in its opener Sunday, is in good position for a potential run.

“To be honest, after last night’s win and (No. 1 seed) Arizona State losing today and the pitching staff they have, they’re set to make a big run,” he said. “If they’re able to beat Clemson (today) and set up a situation where they’ll have to get beat twice (to be eliminated), that staff is going to be tough to beat.”

Minor said during midseason he didn’t think the Sooners had a chance to still be playing in late June, but he said the light finally came on when they beat traditional powerhouse Arkansas in a single game on May 18. Since that victory, the Sooners are 12-2, with six of those victories coming by a single run. The 1994 team had to win a pair of one-run games in the World Series to win the title.

Adding to the parallels between the two teams, this is the last chance for Oklahoma to win a national championship in the same spot Minor’s team made history — Rosenblatt Stadium. Next year, the tournament will move to a new downtown ballpark in Omaha, ending a 60-year tradition.

Minor said he’s sad to see the old stadium shut down, especially considering the history there and all the memories that have been made. Minor played twice at Rosenblatt, because the Sooners also advanced to the World Series in 1995.

“Rosenblatt has been there forever, and it’s probably not going to be the same,” said Minor. “There are lots of businesses and families around Rosenblatt Stadium that really depend on those couple weeks to be successful. I’m sure it will be a great venue downtown, but Rosenblatt is definitely a special place.”

After starring at Oklahoma and earning All-American honors during his senior season in 1996, Minor went on to a nine-year professional career, highlighted by a World Series appearance with the San Francisco Giants in 2002. OU fans also will remember Minor’s brother, Ryan, who was a two-sport star in basketball and baseball in the mid-’90s. He is most known for replacing Cal Ripken Jr. after his consecutive games streak ended in 1998.

Damon Minor said he hopes this year’s Oklahoma baseball team is able to create its own legacy, adding to the accomplishments of his squad in 1994.

“This is a good chance for the program to be back on top,” said Minor.