Gary Van Tol assigned to manage Class A Boise Hawks – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs have made a number of Major League moves in the recent weeks. But on Tuesday, December 11, there was another front that they addressed.
The Cubs named Gary Van Tol as the Class A Boise Hawks’ 10th manager. He will formally manage the team starting June 14 when the Hawks open the 2013 season.
Hawks performed well last season under manager Mark Johnson, winning the second-half East Division title with a 24-14 record under manager. Even though they won the East Division series, they lost to Vancouver the three-game finals 2-1.
With Johnson moved up to Class A Kane County in 2013, the responsibility now lies on the shoulder of Van Tol to perpetuate this success. And he is fairly capable of doing what the Cubs have assigned him.
Van Tol comes with impressive credentials. The fact that he has over two decades experience as a coach, working at Gonzaga University and the University of Portland, makes him the right candidate for the slot.
Add to it his years with Centralia Community College in 1994 and at Treasure Valley Community College from 1997 to 2001.
Van Tol is excited to take this job. Attached to this organization are some memories, and an experience that he greatly cherishes.
"The organization has always treated me first class, like I've been a full-time employee, and that's one of the neat things about the whole experience," Van Tol said Tuesday by phone from Boise. "Everybody has treated me like one of their own."
Van Tol has complete support of the organization when it comes to managing both family and the team.
"I have the support from the organization to work with my schedule and within our dynamics, where the family is at, and Chrissie's position and where the kids are," Van Tol said. "That, to me, makes the biggest impact -- to be offered the position and the
adjustments the organization is willing to make to have me in this position. That's very humbling."
What is equally important to note here is that he will be the first professional manager for some of the Cubs prospects, a task that he looks forward to discharge with utmost responsibility.
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