BOISE -- The Boise State Athletics Department confirmed a familiar name as the leader of their upstart baseball program.
Former Boise Hawks manager Gary Van Tol was introduced as the new Boise State head baseball coach Tuesday afternoon.
Van Tol has spent the last 11 seasons with the Chicago Cubs organization, serving as both manager and bench coach. He helped develop a number of players currently listed on the Cubs 40-man roster.
Oh, he also coached Ian Happ in Eugene. pic.twitter.com/cAT2XA7wgN
— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) November 28, 2017Van Tol followed the Cubs to Eugene when the organization decided to re-located their Short-Season Single-A affiliate in 2014. He managed the Emeralds that initial year, then moved back to bench coach to provide an opportunity for Jesus Feliciano to manage.
In addition to his lengthy resume at the professional level, Van Tol has over two decades of experience at the collegiate level, first as a player, then as a coach.
Van Tol played at Treasure Valley Community College before transferring to Gonzaga University. In addition to excelling on the field, he became the first Bulldog in program history to earn Academic All-American honors.
After graduating in 1990, Van Tol returned to Treasure Valley Community College as an assistant coach in 1991 before accepting a similar role at Gonzaga in 1992.
Two years later, Van Tol then received his first opportunity to become a head coach. He took over at Centralia Community College from 1994-1995, then returned to TVCC to lead his alma mater from 1996-2000.
After four years at TVCC, Van Tol enjoyed a stint from 2003-2005 as an assistant at the University of Portland, and a second go-around at Gonzaga from 2006-2007.