Former Cal State Fullerton standout infielder Neil Walton has been hired as a volunteer assistant coach by the UCSB baseball team, it was announced by head coach Andrew Checketts.
“Neil brings a level of experience to the program that is very hard to find and that we value very much,” said Checketts. “From reaching the College World Series at Fullerton to plying his trade in the pros, there is a lot that Neil can teach our young players.”
With the Gauchos, Walton will responsible for coaching the first basemen and outfielders, assisting with the offense, and helping coordinate the Gaucho Baseball Academy.
Walton most recently served as the interim manager/assistant coach for the Terre Haute Rex Baseball Club in the Prospect League. There, he was tasked with running the pitching staff and managed 20 games after the former skipper took an NCAA recruiting job.
In the 2012-13 school year, Walton served as a student manager at his alma mater. Serving under head coach Rick Vanderhook, Walton assisted with coaching duties for a Cal State Fullerton team that went 51-10 to win the Big West and reached the NCAA tournament for the 21st consecutive season.
While a manager with the baseball team, Walton completed his masters degree in kinesiology, graduating in May 2013.
