Office: 818.240.1000, Ext. 5693
Fax: 818.551.5226
Email:baseball@glendale.edu
| HEAD BASEBALL COACH |
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| Chris Cicuto |
| School: UC Riverside- B.A., Azusa Pacific- M.A. |
| Hired: 2000-2003 Assistant Coach. 2004-present Head Coach |
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2-time Western State Conference Coach of the Year
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2011 Southern California Coach of the Year
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2011 American Baseball Coaches Association Pacific Region Coach of the Year
Chris Cicuto began coaching at Glendale College in the fall of 2000 and has been the Head Coach since 2004. Coach Cicuto has coached four Western State Conference Championships since entering the program and dozens of All-Western State Conference, NCAA Division 1 and Professional players.
Coach Cicuto was named Western State Conference Coach of the Year twice (’11, ’12). In 2011 the Vaqueros finished 3rd in the State Finals.
The trip to the State Finals in 2011 allowed Chris to be voted by his peers as the Southern California Coach of the Year. He was also recognized nationally as the 2011 Pacific Region Coach of the Year at the ABCA Convention in Anaheim, CA.
Chris has always believed in the mantra that has been passed down to him by his father John Cicuto (Men’s A.D. & Head Football Coach 1989-2006) and Jim Sartoris; Being part of the Vaquero Athletic Program is like being part of a new family, a family that is dedicated to helping young men and women mature Socially, Academically and Athletically.
Since 2000, the Baseball student-athlete transfer rate to four-year schools or professional baseball is over 75%; A statistic that Chris is very proud of.
Chris graduated from Agoura High School in 1996 where he was an All-Marmonte League and All-Ventura County Team Selection as a catcher.
He competed for two years at Ventura College, under Head Coach Don Adams. Chris earned an AA degree and All-WSC conference selection and was voted Mr. Pirate in 1998. Chris transferred and played at UC Riverside under Head Coach Jack Smitheran and then Asst. Coach Doug Smith.
Chris graduated with a B.A. from UC Riverside in 2000.
After earning his Masters degree in 2003 from Azusa Pacific University he spent the summer coaching the hitters for the Chatham A's in the prestigious Cape Cod Summer League. His experience coaching for John Schiffner and working with the top Division 1 players in the nation was “an amazing experience!”
In 2008, he assisted Bryan Maloney with the Atlanta Braves Area Scout Team.
Chris and his wife Kelly are proud parents of their two children; Samantha (’09) and Jackson (’11).
More About Coach Cicuto in the El Vaq Here.
| INFIELDERS & OFFENSE |
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| Alex Kocol |
| School: UCLA, B.A. |
| Hired: 2010 |
Alex Kocol's responsibilities include running the offense and coaching the infielders for the Vaqueros.
In Kocol's first two years as infield coach at GCC he has developed the WSC Golden Glove winners; Matt McCallister,SS (2011) and Sergio Plasencia, 2B (2012).
In 2011, Kocol's first year coaching with the VAQS, his offense was crucial to the success of #3 team in California. With Kocol's tutelage the VAQs were Ranked #1 in the State in Stolen Bases (144), Homeruns (25) and Walks (214).
Kocol will spend the summer of 2013 in the Cape Cod Summer League coaching for the Chatham A's.
Prior to coming to Glendale, Kocol spent four seasons (2007-2010) at Harvard-Westlake School, the final three in the capacity of Associate Head Baseball Coach. Kocol was responsible for working with hitters while running the offense and coaching the infielders.
2010 proved to be a watershed for the Harvard-Westlake baseball program as the Wolverines led the Mission League in runs scored with 213 on their way to winning two playoff games- falling to eventual CIF Champion Glendora (5-3). The 2010 squad nearly doubled their stolen base output from the prior season, swiping a school record 116 bases at an 80% clip.
During his four year stint at Harvard-Westlake, Kocol was able to work closely with OF Austin Wilson, helping the relatively unknown freshman develop into arguably the top offensive high school player in the nation. In 2010, Wilson capped his high school career garnering Baseball America 1st Team , AFLAC and Under Armour All-American honors. During Kocol's tenure the Wolverines also produced an All-Mission League middle infielder every season.
In 2007 Kocol founded the SoCal Rats, a developmental youth club program which has fielded some of the top travel teams in the nation. In 2010 the Rats captured the Triple Crown Omaha Slumpbuster which is billed as the largest youth baseball tournament in the world. Also in 2010 the Rats had the first of their alumni earn a baseball scholarship when RHP Lucas Giolito committed to UCLA.
Prior to coming to HW, Kocol was the head coach at University High School where he guided the Wildcats to an appearance in the L.A. City Section Championship playoffs- the school’s lone playoff appearance of the last 10 years.
Between 2002-2005 Kocol served as an undergrad assistant at UCLA, working closely in day-to-day operations of the baseball program under coaches Gary Adams and John Savage . During that time the Bruins made an NCAA regional appearance (2004) and had over 20 players drafted and/or sign professional contracts.
In 2001-2002 Kocol played at Glendale Community College under coach Jon Strauss. Kocol prepped at University High School in West L.A.
Coach Kocol is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and is certified by the California Interscholastic Federation, holds a certificate in Coaching Ethics from the Josephson Institute. In 2005 he earned degrees in Philosophy and Political Science from UCLA and is currently completing a Master's degree in History.
| PITCHERS |
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Ivan "Woody" Lopez
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| School: CSUN, B.A. |
| Hired: 2009 |
A former GCC All-American pitcher, Ivan Lopez returns to the Glendale Family while he finishes his degree from CSUN. An All-League player and graduate from Sylmar HS in 2000, "Woody" was recruited by Jon Strauss to be an immediate contributor in the fall of 2000. Ivan competed on the 2001-02 Back To Back WSC Champion Teams, that were also ranked #4 and #7 in Southern California. After earning All-Conference and All-American Selections in '02, "Woody" earned a scholarship to CSUN where he pitched for Head Coach Steve Rousey. At CSUN, “Woody” competed in the nationally ranked Big West Conference against teams that ultimately won the Division 1 College World Series.
Coach "Woody" has returned to GCC to instill the values of a winning tradition and develop the pitchers to become thinkers, and competitors.
In 2011, the pitching staff was ranked in the top 20 in the state in many categories such as; #2 Strikeouts (297), #5 in shutouts, #7 saves, #15 least amount of hits allowed.
His experience will be a valuable asset to the team and the development of his players to continue on to the next level. Ivan, 27, is single and resides in the San Fernando Valley.
| BULL-PEN |
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| Matt Stone |
| School: Azusa Pacific |
Hired: 2009
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Coach Stone works diligently as a coach at his former position. Stone's "behind the scenes" work was crucial to the success of the 2011 Pitching Staff. His invaluable input during practices and games has allowed for the reemergence of pitching and overall success at GCC.
In 2006 Coach Stone pitched at GCC and earned all conference honors in 07. Coach Stone finished his career at GCC as a top pitcher in the Western State Conference. He transferred to Azusa Pacific University and lettered with the Cougars for two years. Stone continued to be a starter at APU while getting appearances out of the bullpen his Junior and Senior years. Coach Stone currently plays professional baseball in the summers in Arizona and Canada, while getting his degrees from GCC and APU. Matt is single and resides in Burbank, CA.
| OUTFIELDERS |
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| Chris Casey |
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| School: U.S.C., M.A. |
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| Hired: 2008 |
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Chris Casey began his coaching career 30 years ago at Crescenta Valley High School, in La Crescenta, Ca. Casey coached varsity football and baseball for four years, until he joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1982, where he has been gainfully employed as Detective Supervisor, assigned to Internal Affairs Group.
In 1990, Casey returned back to coaching youth athletics, where he spent 11 years teaching and coaching various sports.
In 2001, Casey returned to coaching high school baseball at Crescenta Valley High School and football until 2004. In 2005, Chris was hired by Bellerimine-Jefferson (Bell-Jeff) High School in Burbank as an varsity assistant baseball coach and he was insumental in helping Bell-Jeff win its first league championship in two decades, and making the CIF playoffs four straight years.
In his first season at GCC, Casey was assigned as the utility coach, assisting players and position coaches with all aspects of the game, as needed. With 30 years of coaching experience, Casey has indepth knowledge of the game of baseball and he is an expert in motivation and leadership.
Casey has received an Associated Art Degree in General Education, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, a Master of Art Degree in Organizational Management, and a Master of Art Degree in Orgainzational Leadership from USC in 2010.
Coach Casey's words to live by are: "God first, Get it Done in the classroom, Work Hard, Never Surrender, Character, Ethics, Intergrity, and Always Do the Right Thing."
CATCHERS
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Jason Plourde
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School: CSUN- B.A, APU M.A.
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Hired: 2004, 2010
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Coach JP returns for his second stint at GCC since 2005. This time around he returns as the VAQS catchers coach. Coach Plourde played baseball at LA Valley College 1996-98 and continued his coaching career at his alma mater from 99-2003. He came to GCC to coach the pitchers in 2004-05 and in 2006 was the Pitching Coach at Division 2 Fort Hays State in Iowa. After 3 years at Fort Hays, coach Plourde took his skills to work with the pitchers at Belmont Abbey. As pitching coach at Belmont Abbey, he helped develop Tyler Powell-RHP to be drafted by the Toronto Bluejays, 27th round.
During the summers Coach Plourde has served as an assistant coach of the Madison Mallards, from 05-07 the Madisons Mallards compiled a record of 114-47. Coach Plourde was Head Coach of the Gastonia Grizzlies of the Coastal Plains League. In 2010 the Grizzlies won their division with a 18-10 record and finished 37 - 19 overall and in 2011 he managed the Grizzlies to the Coastal Plain League Championship with a record of 35-29; which made him the all-time winningest coach in Gastonia history. JP has coached two current MLB players; Andy Dirks, Detroit Tigers and Mike McHenry, Catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
VOLUNTEER/PITCHING
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Greg Matthews
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School: Cal State Fullerton
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Hired: 2013
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Greg Matthews played professional basaeball for several years and pitched for parts of five years from 1986-1992 for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies.
He is an alumnus of Savanna High School in Anaheim, CA and later at California State University, Fullerton. He played summer collegiate baseball for the Hazlet elks of the Saskatchewan Major League Baseball League in 1986, prior to play in the majors. In his rookie year, Matthews compiled a 3.65 ERA in 145.1 innings with 11 wins, the mosty by a Cardinal rookie since 1954 and 1955.
Danny Casey
Volunteer
Anthony Cappiello
Strength/Perfromance Coach