Van Tol Tabs van Kampen as Bullpen Coach
8/10/2018 10:09:00 AM | Baseball
The Boise State baseball program has added Michiel van Kampen as its bullpen coach.
BOISE, Idaho – The Boise State baseball program has added Michiel van Kampen as its bullpen coach, head coach Gary Van Tol announced Friday.
van Kampen was recruited by Van Tol to pitch for him at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore., during the 1997-98 seasons. The Haarlem, Netherlands, native finished up his college career at the College of Idaho before pursuing a professional career back home in the Netherlands. van Kampen retired after the 2010 European Championships and moved back to Idaho to be closer to his wife's family. He met his wife, Renae Landreth, at TVCC. van Kampen was reunited with Van Tol in 2011 and has served as his main coach for the Idaho Cubs, a local club team in Boise.
"To have one of my former college players on staff with me at Boise State is pretty special. We have known each other for more than 20 years, and the trust and loyalty we have for each other will impact our program," Van Tol said. "Games are won or lost in the 7-8-9 innings. To have a guy like this in our bullpen, getting our pitchers ready to come in and get outs right now, in pressure situations, is a big deal. This is what Michiel thrived on as a professional and how he made his living. He's faced guys like Derek Jeter, Pudge Rodriguez, David Wright and Kevin Youkilis on some of the biggest stages in the world.
"I have seen him work with players at every level. He has a natural feel and skill to help players reach their full potential. He has no ego, he works harder than anyone I've met and he cares about kids. He's fired up to be a Bronco, and we're fired up to have him."
"I am thrilled and honored to be able to join Coach Van Tol and his staff at Boise State. To have a role in helping build a program from scratch with someone who gave me my first opportunity to play college baseball in the United States is very special," van Kampen said. "I played for Coach Van Tol and have worked closely with him for several years. I know how he thinks, how he teaches and I believe in his vision. I can't wait to get started."
During his playing career, van Kampen was a member of the Netherlands National Team from 1999-2010, and was part of six European Cups, four World Cups, three Intercontinental Cups, two World Baseball Classics and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He also played in the Dutch Pro League from 1998-2010.
van Kampen, who earned his bachelor's in international business and business administration from the College of Idaho in 2000, joins a staff that already includes Van Tol, hitting coach Hilton Richardson and pitching coach Brock Huntzinger.
The Boise State baseball program is slated to return to the diamond for the 2020 season, the Broncos' first since 1980.
van Kampen was recruited by Van Tol to pitch for him at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore., during the 1997-98 seasons. The Haarlem, Netherlands, native finished up his college career at the College of Idaho before pursuing a professional career back home in the Netherlands. van Kampen retired after the 2010 European Championships and moved back to Idaho to be closer to his wife's family. He met his wife, Renae Landreth, at TVCC. van Kampen was reunited with Van Tol in 2011 and has served as his main coach for the Idaho Cubs, a local club team in Boise.
"To have one of my former college players on staff with me at Boise State is pretty special. We have known each other for more than 20 years, and the trust and loyalty we have for each other will impact our program," Van Tol said. "Games are won or lost in the 7-8-9 innings. To have a guy like this in our bullpen, getting our pitchers ready to come in and get outs right now, in pressure situations, is a big deal. This is what Michiel thrived on as a professional and how he made his living. He's faced guys like Derek Jeter, Pudge Rodriguez, David Wright and Kevin Youkilis on some of the biggest stages in the world.
"I have seen him work with players at every level. He has a natural feel and skill to help players reach their full potential. He has no ego, he works harder than anyone I've met and he cares about kids. He's fired up to be a Bronco, and we're fired up to have him."
"I am thrilled and honored to be able to join Coach Van Tol and his staff at Boise State. To have a role in helping build a program from scratch with someone who gave me my first opportunity to play college baseball in the United States is very special," van Kampen said. "I played for Coach Van Tol and have worked closely with him for several years. I know how he thinks, how he teaches and I believe in his vision. I can't wait to get started."
During his playing career, van Kampen was a member of the Netherlands National Team from 1999-2010, and was part of six European Cups, four World Cups, three Intercontinental Cups, two World Baseball Classics and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He also played in the Dutch Pro League from 1998-2010.
van Kampen, who earned his bachelor's in international business and business administration from the College of Idaho in 2000, joins a staff that already includes Van Tol, hitting coach Hilton Richardson and pitching coach Brock Huntzinger.
The Boise State baseball program is slated to return to the diamond for the 2020 season, the Broncos' first since 1980.
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