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After 16 years as Biola baseball’s head coach, John Verhoeven is retiring from his position this year. He will close his career with a .656 game percentage and total of 546 wins. Verhoeven leaves behind a legacy as the program’s all-time winningest coach.  He has also had 20 players sign MLB contracts with 13 being selected in the MLB Draft.

Since coming to Biola in 1998, he has been named GSAC Coach of the Year five times and NAIA Region II Coach of the year twice. He has also led the Eagles to 10 NAIA postseason appearances, along with three visits to the NAIA World Series. This year, three players under Verhoeven were awarded the All-Golden State Athletic Conference team, two of whom were also named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District VIII College Division team.

“Playing under coach Verhoeven has been an absolute blessing,” said senior co-captain, Nick Turner. “This guy understands a lot about the game of baseball and it is an honor being a part of his prestigious coaching career. It’s also special because ‘Coach Hoov’ has played in the professional baseball arena. He has experience, stories, and other qualities that are very difficult to find in other coaches.”

Verhoeven has spent the past 22 years as a coach for schools throughout Southern California, including Cal State San Dominguez, Pepperdine University and Loyola Marymount University.  Prior to his coaching career, he played baseball professionally on the then California Angels, Chicago White Sox, and Minnesota Twins.

A retirement ceremony for Verhoeven was held during the last home game series on April 12, 2013. The ceremony included highlights from Verhoeven’s Biola career, and a presentation by the team of a signed team photograph, commemorating the season. His career was also recognized during games at both Concordia University and San Diego Christian College.

“It has been a pleasure playing for Hoov,” said senior co-captain, Benji Sutherland. “He is by far the best baseball coach I have ever had. He made baseball enjoyable and took care of his players well.”

Verhoeven says that one of his greatest passions in life has been the sport of baseball. Though his time as head coach at Biola has reached its end, Verhoeven says he will carry great memories of players with him for a lifetime.

“I get to see them come into their freshman year as boys, not saying a word to me and by the time they are seniors, they are men, conversing with me and telling me how to run the ball. I love it,” said Verhoeven.

Written by Cassandra Acosta and Bethany Wilson, Media Relations Interns. For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, at 562.777.4061 or  jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.