December 12, 2007

Matt Lisle Tabbed new Head Coach of Gallaudet Baseball 

WASHINGTON, DC - Gallaudet Interim Athletic Director Mike Weinstock announced the selection of  Matt Lisle as the new head coach of Gallaudet Baseball. Coach Lisle comes to Gallaudet Athletics from Saint Mary's College High School in Berkeley, California.

Coach Lisle's mindset for the game of baseball and his focus on the development of student-athletes is what he brings to Gallaudet University, along with a formula for success.

Last season at the helm of Saint Mary's College High School in Berkeley, CA he set many milestones. Lisle finished his inaugural season with the greatest record in the schools 100+ year history (23-2). He also led Saint Mary's to its highest state ranking ever (peaked at #2, finished at #7, Div III). Saint Mary's was the last high school team in California to lose (16-0 record) when it dropped its 17th game of the season vs. Section Quarterfinalist Piedmont (whom St. Mary's had previously beaten). Lisle also led Saint Mary's to its furthest playoff finish falling in the North Coast Section Semi-Finals. He was also named the 2007 BSAL Coach of the Year.

Before coming on at Saint Mary's he spent 4 years as the head coach at Berean Christian High School where Lisle compiled an overall record of 58-28. He led Berean to its first ever #1 state ranking in 2005 (Division V) and a school record 18 consecutive wins.

Lisle's main focus is the development of each individual player that comes through his program, both on and off the field. Even though he has coached over 75 players that are currently playing at the collegiate level and several more that are playing at the professional level, Matt takes pride in his athletes' successes in the classroom as well.

Last season, Saint Mary's finished with the third highest GPA in the section (3.17) and was recognized as a North Coast Section Scholastic Championship Team. In his four years at Berean Christian the baseball program had a GPA of over 3.1 every year. His teams in 2004 and 2005 were honored by North Coast Section as a CIF Scholastic Championship Team and also a North Coast Section Distinguished Scholastic Team.

Lisle has also been coaching the Oakland Oaks 18-and-under baseball club since the 2005 season where he has helped lead them to the 2005 Connie Mack Northern California State Championship and the 2005 AAU National Classic Championship.

In 2006, Lisle coached at Patten University as the associate head coach where his responsibilities included running all aspects of the offense, from teaching fundamentals to teaching approaches of the game. He also ran the offense during games and coached third base. Lisle was also the pitching coach and was in charge of all aspects of the pitching program, including calling pitches during games.

Lisle has been running the Out-of-Town Scoreboard for Major League Baseball's Oakland A's for the last 8 seasons as well and has built relationships with many of the players, coaches and other organizational members. He was sent to Spring Training in 2001 to live there and help with anything the players needed as well as merchandise. He also helped out as the mascot at times (Stomper) and drove all of the players equipment from Oakland, CA to Phoenix, AZ.

Before Lisle began coaching, as an athlete at Berean Christian High School he lettered in four varsity sports (Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Track).

He earned All-League honors in baseball and football, in addition to leading Berean to a 7-0 record vs. 1A schools in 1995 and Berean's first ever football league championship.

Weinstock added, "I'm thrilled to have someone with his extensive experience in baseball; Coach Lisle will bring new energy and motivation to revitalizing the Gallaudet baseball program."

Release run with permission from Gallaudet sports information office.