2008 Woodie Awards
New coach has taken over baseball team for next season
Unexpected: Former EC coach leaves team to coach at UC Irvine
By: David Lopez
Issue date: 9/16/04 Section: Sports
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After leading the baseball team to a college-best record` of 30-7, coach Greg Bergeron decided, during the offseason, to take his coaching career to UC Irvine.
Bergeron was an assistant coach for the EC team for six seasons, and it wasn't until last year that he became coach before being hired on short notice by UC Irvine.
"Greg received an offer to a university that he could not resist," athletic director Dave Shannon said. "He wanted to have four-year experience on his resume, so he accepted that decision."
Bergeron not only led the Warriors to its best season with a record of 30-7, but also led the team to the Southern California Regional Championships, where it lost 13-9 to Saddleback, falling one game short of advancing to the state championship.
"We were shocked to see Greg leave after such a good year," pitcher Bobby Nunn said. "But we have the same staff and program coming back and we have a strong mentality of repeating."
For next season, the Warriors will have to restructure their game plan under new coach Tom Bergeron, who is Greg's father.
Last season, Tom was an assistant coach, helping his son develop the pitching staff on the team.
"Tom was retired; he has taught for about forty-one years and is a career baseball guy," Shannon said. "We were fortunate to get an experienced coach and we're happy to have him."
Tom has more than 600 victories, 20 Suburban League titles and 10 league championships in the last 13 years, including four consecutive championships.
"He didn't have to do this," Shannon said. "All he needs to do is go play golf, but now he's here, and he'll be the new baseball coach this spring."
Six of his players have moved on to become professional, and he has coached for seven different sports in his 41-year coaching span.
"Last year, I didn't get to call the pitches during game time which is my strength," Tom Bergeron said. "Now, I don't think we'll suffer there; our pitching should be better."
Bergeron was an assistant coach for the EC team for six seasons, and it wasn't until last year that he became coach before being hired on short notice by UC Irvine.
"Greg received an offer to a university that he could not resist," athletic director Dave Shannon said. "He wanted to have four-year experience on his resume, so he accepted that decision."
Bergeron not only led the Warriors to its best season with a record of 30-7, but also led the team to the Southern California Regional Championships, where it lost 13-9 to Saddleback, falling one game short of advancing to the state championship.
"We were shocked to see Greg leave after such a good year," pitcher Bobby Nunn said. "But we have the same staff and program coming back and we have a strong mentality of repeating."
For next season, the Warriors will have to restructure their game plan under new coach Tom Bergeron, who is Greg's father.
Last season, Tom was an assistant coach, helping his son develop the pitching staff on the team.
"Tom was retired; he has taught for about forty-one years and is a career baseball guy," Shannon said. "We were fortunate to get an experienced coach and we're happy to have him."
Tom has more than 600 victories, 20 Suburban League titles and 10 league championships in the last 13 years, including four consecutive championships.
"He didn't have to do this," Shannon said. "All he needs to do is go play golf, but now he's here, and he'll be the new baseball coach this spring."
Six of his players have moved on to become professional, and he has coached for seven different sports in his 41-year coaching span.
"Last year, I didn't get to call the pitches during game time which is my strength," Tom Bergeron said. "Now, I don't think we'll suffer there; our pitching should be better."