Nolen earned eight letters in three sports at Pasadena. Still, his performance in a 1974 baseball playoff against Milby is something veteran fans in the community still talk about. In an 11-inning, regional finals thriller, Nolen hurled a complete game, striking out 10.

Then, with the game still scoreless in the bottom of the 11th, the Eagles junior belted a game-winning home run. The victory helped propel Pasadena to the state tournament.

At Baylor, Nolen earned All-Southwest Conference honors as a freshman and junior. In 1977 and 1978, he teamed with Connally to help lead Baylor to the school’s first two CWS berths.