Gary Van Tol looking forward to new assignment – MLB News
Chicago Cubs’ naming Gary Van Tol as the manager Class a Boise Hawks will go a long way to help both inculcate professionalism and cultivate a batch of thorough professionals, helping the team in the long run to build on success.
He has become the 10th manager of Boise after having previously served as college coach. Also, quite importantly, he has in the past served as an assistant coach with the Hawks.
Van Tol has remained equally active when it comes to volunteering.
Having started a program like “Idaho Cubs” which offers camps in mid-January and February for kid interested in baseballs, Van Tol has a lot to his credit to command attention and respect.
Add to it the experience that he has: 20 years of coaching experience. He has worked at Gonzaga University (1991-93 and 2006-08) and the University of Portland (2003-05).
The experience does not end here. He has also remained the manager of Centralia Community College in 1994 and at Treasure Valley Community College from 1997-2001.
For some of the Cubs’ prospects, he will be the first professional manager.
"You always remember that 'first,'" Van Tol said. "For a lot of these kids, coming into the professional game, for me being their first manager, I take that very seriously and it's a privilege. I want them to obviously not forget me, but in a way influence
them and help them in every possible way to climb the ladder in our organization and fill all the goals everybody has to win a World Series."
Whether Van was expecting this job or not is an interesting question for him to not only entertain but also answer. Van Tol wanted to go to scouting side as he put it.
“To be honest, I was expecting this might be [the end], with the new direction, so I was prepared to do some things on the scouting side and help out with the high school players in the area," Van Tol said.”
With the years of experience that he brings with himself, along with the familiarity with Hawks, he will have a tremendous opportunity to put the team on the winning track, and train quality professionals.
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