Whittier College

Mike Rizzo enters his 26th season as the Poet skipper with a record of 390 – 533 – 4.  He stands just 10 victories away from the 400 milestone. The Poets are 232-315 in SCIAC play in Rizzo’s tenure, where 57 student-athletes have been named All-SCIAC, 25 to the ABCA All West Region team, five NCAA All- Americans, three National Gold Glove winners and one NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship recipient. 

Additionally, the 2023 Poet squad received the ABCA Team Academic Achievement Award, making it eight consecutive years receiving this recognition. 

Poets drafted during Rizzo’s tenure include:

Thomas Vessella 2006 11th Round Houston Astros

Thomas Phelps 2008 38th Round Baltimore Orioles

Julian Barzilli 2014 31st Round St. Louis Cardinals

Stephen Zavala 2015 37th Round St. Louis Cardinals

The 2022 Poet squad, largely made up of true freshman and COVID freshman struggled mightily after a 20-month layoff. 17 juniors and seniors moved on and graduated without ever getting to compete again for the Purple & Gold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, the Poets had a 21-game turnaround and placed three on the All SCIAC team with Dane Goodman and Lew Rice making 1st Team, and Teige Barrett making 2nd Team. Rice was named SCIAC Newcomer of the Year, and all three individuals were named to the ABCA All West Region Team.  Prior to being named head coach, Rizzo was an assistant under former Poet skipper, Jim Pigott ’80 for 11 seasons.

Born and raised in Pittsfield, MA, Rizzo began his playing career at Western New England College (now Western New England University) in 1983, and in his second season with the Golden Bears was named MVP of the 1984 NAIA District 5 Tournament. In that tournament, Rizzo picked up a save against top ranked Southern Maine and a complete game victory in the championship game versus Castleton State.  He transferred to Whittier in the fall of 1984 and was twice named All-SCIAC as a Poet. Rizzo still holds the single season record for innings pitched in a season and posted a 17-9 record on the mound as a Poet.

In 1986 he was named the Presidential Scholar Athlete of the Year and was also team MVP. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. In addition to his duties with the baseball program, he also serves as an Associate Athletic Director of Athletics for External Operations and oversees the Purple & Gold Booster Club.

Mike and his wife Susan ’88, reside in Cypress, CA with their two children, Ryan ’26 and Kylie. Mike’s son Ryan was a member of the All-SCIAC Men’s Track & Field 4 X 100 Relay Team.