Boise State Athletics
Van Tol Rounds Out His On-field Staff with Buck
8/20/2018 11:37:00 AM | Baseball
Former major leaguer Travis Buck will serve as director of player development and bench coach.
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State head baseball coach Gary Van Tol announced Monday that he has hired former major leaguer Travis Buck as his director of player development and bench coach.
Buck, the final member of Van Tol's on-field staff, joins hitting coach Hilton Richardson, pitching coach Brock Huntzinger and bullpen coach Michiel van Kampen.
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the staff we have been able to put together at Boise State," Van Tol said. "It's been a long process. This group of professionals have coached, mentored, scouted and played at every level. They all have a true passion for the game of baseball. They understand how difficult this game is to play, they can identify and develop young talent and they understand the grind, commitment and sacrifice it takes to play at the highest level. It's going to be a lot of fun waking up every day and going to work with these guys and developing the players we recruit to Boise State.
"Travis obviously has major league credentials, but more importantly, he is someone who cares about helping young players reach their full potential, both on and off the field. Having him next to me in the dugout and assisting our coaching staff will make a huge impact in our success. Our program is going to benefit tremendously with his knowledge, experience and presence on the field and in the dugout."
Buck, who spent six seasons in the major leagues with the Oakland Athletics (2007-10), Cleveland Indians (2011) and Houston Astros (2012), played collegiately for Arizona State (2003-05). He helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in the World University Baseball Championship in 2004, and he sits eighth on the Sun Devils' career hits list (272). He also led ASU in batting average in 2005 (.382), and both home runs (nine) and RBI (58) in 2004.
"From the moment my professional career ended, I knew I wanted to be involved in the development of the next generation of baseball players," Buck said. "I am elated to be a part of this staff. The opportunity to help Coach Van Tol instill his culture and bring back baseball at Boise State was an opportunity I couldn't pass on. I can't wait to get started."
Buck was initially drafted out of Richland High School in Richland, Wash., by the Seattle Mariners, but instead chose to attend Arizona State. He was then selected in the first round, 36th overall of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.
In 2006 he played in the All-Star Futures Game, and was at one point rated by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Oakland Athletics organization.
Since retiring from professional baseball, Buck had been operating TBuck Training in his hometown, training and developing youth baseball players. He has since transferred ownership to pursue a career in college baseball.
The Boise State baseball program is slated to return to the diamond for the 2020 season, the Broncos' first since 1980.
Buck, the final member of Van Tol's on-field staff, joins hitting coach Hilton Richardson, pitching coach Brock Huntzinger and bullpen coach Michiel van Kampen.
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the staff we have been able to put together at Boise State," Van Tol said. "It's been a long process. This group of professionals have coached, mentored, scouted and played at every level. They all have a true passion for the game of baseball. They understand how difficult this game is to play, they can identify and develop young talent and they understand the grind, commitment and sacrifice it takes to play at the highest level. It's going to be a lot of fun waking up every day and going to work with these guys and developing the players we recruit to Boise State.
"Travis obviously has major league credentials, but more importantly, he is someone who cares about helping young players reach their full potential, both on and off the field. Having him next to me in the dugout and assisting our coaching staff will make a huge impact in our success. Our program is going to benefit tremendously with his knowledge, experience and presence on the field and in the dugout."
Buck, who spent six seasons in the major leagues with the Oakland Athletics (2007-10), Cleveland Indians (2011) and Houston Astros (2012), played collegiately for Arizona State (2003-05). He helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in the World University Baseball Championship in 2004, and he sits eighth on the Sun Devils' career hits list (272). He also led ASU in batting average in 2005 (.382), and both home runs (nine) and RBI (58) in 2004.
"From the moment my professional career ended, I knew I wanted to be involved in the development of the next generation of baseball players," Buck said. "I am elated to be a part of this staff. The opportunity to help Coach Van Tol instill his culture and bring back baseball at Boise State was an opportunity I couldn't pass on. I can't wait to get started."
Buck was initially drafted out of Richland High School in Richland, Wash., by the Seattle Mariners, but instead chose to attend Arizona State. He was then selected in the first round, 36th overall of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.
In 2006 he played in the All-Star Futures Game, and was at one point rated by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Oakland Athletics organization.
Since retiring from professional baseball, Buck had been operating TBuck Training in his hometown, training and developing youth baseball players. He has since transferred ownership to pursue a career in college baseball.
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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