Oct. 6, 2005

SPOKANE, Wash. - Former Gonzaga University player and assistant coach Gary Van Tol will return to the Bulldogs program for his second stint announced GU head coach Mark Machtolf. Van Tol will join the team this week as the Bulldogs prepare to host their annual Alumni Day weekend activities. He replaces assistant coach Scott Asan who resigned to pursue other career opportunities. Van Tol rejoins the Bulldogs staff after three years as an assistant coach at the University of Portland where he served as the Pilots pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.

Van Tol was a two-year letterwinner at Gonzaga under head coach Steve Hertz earning first-team All-Pacific 10 Conference North honors in 1990. He also was Gonzaga's first academic All-American earning third team honors in 1990. Following his playing career Van Tol joined the Bulldogs staff as an assistant coach from 1991-93 before accepting his first head coaching job at Centralia College in 1994. After one year as the associate head coach at Treasure Valley CC, he was promoted to the head coach position and guided the Chukars to four NJCAA Regional appearances.

While at TVCC had 90 percent of his players move onto four-year colleges or the professional ranks. Included in that list are former Gonzaga players Nate Gold, the 2002 NCAA home run champion, and Marshall Bratton a first-team All-WCC selection. He also coached two players who are currently on 40-man rosters in the Major Leagues - Rick Bauer (Baltimore) and Jason Hammel (Tampa Bay).

A native of Calgary, Alberta, Van Tol was a member of the Canadian National Team from 1989-1991 and was named the Alberta Hockey League Rookie of the Year in 1985.