ROBERT RUIZ

Baseball Head Coach

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Westmont Athletic Director Dave Odell has announced the hiring of Robert Ruiz to serve as head coach of Westmont Baseball. Ruiz, who has served as an assistant coach and associate head coach at Azusa Pacific the past five years, is excited about the opportunity to lead the Warrior program.

"Westmont College is proven as a premier NAIA academic and athletic institution and it is an honor to join such a tradition," said Ruiz.

Ruiz helped lead Azusa Pacific to some of its most successful years in program history. As hitting coach, Ruiz equipped the Cougars to post their best three-year totals in batting average (.344), hits (2,132), doubles (422), home runs (304), total bases (3,516), runs (1,653), RBIs (1,490) and slugging percentage (.567). Among Ruiz’ other duties at Azusa Pacific were infield coach, third base coach and recruiting coordinator.

During Ruiz’ coaching tenure at Azusa Pacific, the Cougars posted three seasons with 36 or more wins. In the 22 seasons prior to 2007, the Cougars had recorded only one season in which they won more than 35 games. In the last five years, Ruiz recruited and coached seven players that have been selected in the Major League Baseball draft.

"Couch Ruiz is a strong Christian leader with a track record of winning", said Odell, "and he is someone who understands how to recruit and coach within the rigorous academic curriculum at Westmont. I was pleased with a quality pool of talented coaches interested in leading our program. In the end, I wholeheartedly agreed with our hiring committee’s unequivocal and unanimous advice to hire Coach Ruiz."

Ruiz’ philosophy of coaching has been largely shaped by his study of organizational leadership in which he holds a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific.

"Competitive athletics offer the experience of adversity, challenge, work ethic, and selflessness. Standing on a foundation of positive values and the right character attributes allows for success in this environment. The bi-product of integrity and value driven athletes is the ability to win, or being prepared to win in all of the challenges or obstacles presented. I am passionate about leading a group of young men and preparing them to win while at the same time encouraging them to become great people who are building their relationship with God and impacting their community in a positive way," said Ruiz.

In addition to his coaching role on the diamond, Ruiz has served as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific, teaching courses in foundations of leadership, servant leadership, heath education and weight training.

A four-year student-athlete at Pitzer College where he earned a degree in organizational studies, Ruiz understands the rigors of life as a collegiate athlete and the opportunities which a coach has to positively influence the lives of those who play for him.

"I believe that an institution of higher education that allows for faith integration provides students the opportunity for peak academic achievement as well as spiritual maturity. My passions and personal value structure fall in line directly with the mission of the institution. I am energized at the opportunity to lead a group of student-athletes toward academic, athletic and spiritual growth," said Ruiz.

With Ruiz at second base for Pomona-Pitzer, the Sagehens won two conference championships. He was twice named to the All-SCIAC and All-West Region teams.

A strong suit for the new Warrior coach is his experience in evaluating baseball talent. Ruiz has served as a talent evaluator and instructor at the Stanford Baseball Camp, Team One Showcase and the Under Armor National Tryout, Tournament and Camp. He has also served as a baseball camp instructor at Harvard and Azusa Pacific and is scheduled to work at a USC camp this summer.

Ruiz will officially begin serving in his duties as head coach on June 22 after returning from his honeymoon. Ruiz and fiancée JulieAnn Crocker are to be wed a week from tomorrow.

TONY COUGOULE

Pitching Coach

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Tony Cougoule enters his sixth year as an assistant coach and begins his first year with the Westmont Warrior baseball program. Cougoule will take the lead role as pitching coach and will also have an active role working with our catchers. In addition to his duties on the field, Cougoule takes part in all facets of the Warrior baseball program, including areas of recruiting, fundraising and administration.  

Cougoule spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach for Southeastern Community College where he contributed to the single season win record (41), a top-ten national ranking and a top-ten ranking in fielding percentage (2009), while developing 10 all-conference players in his time as assistant coach. He also served as interim head coach for 12 games in the 2009 season.

In addition to these accomplishments, Cougoule spent the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons at Azusa Pacific University with Head Coach Ruiz. Cougoule helped lead APU to their most successful season in school history in 2007 serving as the Cougars’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. The Cougars broke single season records for wins (51) and conference wins (32) while capturing the GSAC conference championship and the NAIA Region II championship. Azusa Pacific returned to the NAIA World Series for the first time in 23 years. During that time Cougoule coached six future MLB draft picks and has seven players currently playing professional baseball. 

Cougoule’s first coaching experience was as an assistant to Coach Justin Schulte at Mount Mercy in 2005 (42-28) after being a part of 2003 and 2004 (83-53) Mustangs’ pitching staff. As a player, Cougoule’s best year came as a junior in 2003 when he recorded an 8-3 record with a 3.62 era and earned all-conference and team MVP honors. Cougoule was a part of three regional teams on the field while twice achieving academic all-conference honors and graduating cum laude with a degree in Administrative Management. In 2007, Cougoule completed his Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the Warrior program and will add tremendous value to the staff. 

"I look forward to helping Coach Ruiz take this program to where it should be," said Cougoule. "I bring experience in the conference and I look forward to recruiting quality student-athletes with great character. Being able to integrate faith on the baseball field and all around campus is something that is not only attractive to me but is attractive in the recruiting process."

In addition to his responsibilities as the Warriors’ pitching coach, Cougoule serves as a staff account for MedBridge Development in Santa Barbara

MEL GEMBERLING

Assistant Baseball Coach

Mel Gemberling is entering his twenty-sixth year as an assistant coach with Westmont. He brings over 50 years of baseball experience to the Warrior coaching staff.

Gemberling attended Franklin High School in Los Angeles and Pasadena City College. He was the starting center fielder on the 1950 state championship team. He went on to play minor league baseball in the 1950′s for the Phillies, Cubs and Tiger organizations.

After a tour of duty in the U.S. Army as a medic, Gemberling attended to Cal State Los Angeles from which he graduated in 1959. From 1979-81, Gemberling served as the head coach at Bishop Diego High School and began coaching with the Warriors in 1985. He retired in 2001 from his own CPA firm.

Gemberling currently resides in Carpinteria with his wife, Catherine.

Click here for a feature story on Coach Gemberling

GREG VENZOR

Assistant Baseball Coach

Returning for his second year on the coaching staff is Greg Venzor. His primary responsibilities for the 2010 season will include working as outfield coach and first base coach.

"We are fortunate to play the game and the gifts we are given are not ours, but are all on loan from God," said Venzor. "I want to help the team put God first and nurture the spiritual aspect of the game. I want to help bring back stability to the program. I love the atmosphere and I love the campus. I love the fact that you can get a great education with a Christian background at Westmont. It is a priviledge to coach here."

“We are very excited to have Coach Venzor on board and look forward to his impact in our program," said Head Coach Robert Ruiz "Coach Venzor brings a passion for the game and the development of young men. His attention to detail and general commitment to the development of our players will be a tremendous asset to our program. Greg is a strong Christian man who is dedicated to our vision and philosophy as a program and has become a regular contributor to its implementation."