Sports
Strankman Hangs Up Cleats, Resigns As Head Coach
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 22, 2008) - Following a successful
three year career as the Head Baseball Coach, during a four year
stint at Occidental College, Elliott Strankman has resigned from
his position to focus on other opportunities in baseball beginning
with his second season in the Northwoods League as the Field
Manager of the Green Bay Bullfrogs.
"We are grateful to Elliott for the role he played in helping to
rebuild the baseball program at Occidental and we wish him the best
in his future endeavors," said Director of Athletics Jaime Hoffman.
A national search for Strankman's successor will begin immediately.
"I look forward to filling the position with someone who can lead
Oxy baseball to the next level."
Under Strankman's leadership, the Tigers improved from just six
wins in 2005, when he served as an assistant, to a pair of 15 win
seasons in 2006 and 2007 culminating with 17 victories in 2008. The
17 wins this spring were more than any other squad has totaled in a
single season during the last decade.
He coached four different athletes, Matt Andersen,
Adam Franks, Matthew Jones and
Glenn Gray, to two All-SCIAC recognitions apiece.
Gray was also named to the All-West Region Team in 2007.
Beyond the playing field, his dedication to the bettering the
program led to renovations of Anderson Field and the Spencer
Fieldhouse. The major upgrades carried out during his tenure
included new fencing, grass, dirt and foul poles on the field
itself as well as lockers and a complete face-lift to the
Clubhouse, which now includes a state-of-the-art fitness center,
creating one of the finest facilities in Division III baseball.
Strankman was a two-time All-State selection at Hanford High School
in Washington and played four years at Lewis-Clark State College in
Idaho, winning National Titles in 1999 and 2000. He was drafted in
2000 as a 12th round selection by the San Francisco Giants and
played three years in the minor leagues.
In the summer of 2007 Strankman led the Bullfrogs to the playoffs
in their inaugural season, posting a 43-25 overall record (tops in
the league). He was named the Manager of the Year and served as the
Southern Division manager at the All-Star game. Previously, he
spent three summers as an assistant coach for the Alaska
Goldpanners in Fairbanks.
