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Archived News Article

VandenBoom hangs up cleats after nearly 20 years coaching MSOE baseball

Published: 05/17/2005 Bookmark and Share

MSOE Athletic Director Dan Harris announced that Len VandenBoom, baseball coach for 19 years and the university’s first athletic director, has retired from his head coaching duties.

 

“Len VandenBoom is a legend at MSOE. It was his vision 32 years ago that enabled us to have a highly competitive 20 sport NCAA program that we have today,” said Harris of the VandenBoom departure. “He has been a beloved figure as baseball coach for many years. His players will miss his caring attitude and guidance in their development as productive members of society.”

 

Coach VandenBoom has spent almost two separate decades turning MSOE baseball into a successful program. In his first stint as the Raiders’manager, he guided the Raiders to six-straight conference championships before leaving the program in 1982 to devote full time to other administrative duties at MSOE. After a 15-year absence, he returned to the baseball program in1996, stabilizing and strengthening the team to be a competitive entry in the Lake Michigan Conference.

 

VandenBoom is well recognized in the Milwaukee and Wisconsin area as an outstanding player in his own right. He played at Pius XI high school and for the University of Wisconsin-Stout as well as in various Milwaukee County Major and Minor League entries. He was also an accomplished high school coach, starting the Franklin High School baseball program in 1965 and leading them to the Parkland Conference championship in 1966.

Well known in baseball circles for his coaching and playing ability, VandenBoom was inducted into the Wisconsin Old Time Baseball Players Association Hall of Fame in 2004. He is also a member of the MSOE Hall of Fame, inducted as a charter member in January 1998.

Hired as an instructor in the MSOE General Studies Department in 1967, VandenBoom became the school’s first athletic director in 1973. During his tenure at MSOE, he has held numerous administration positions including Dean of Institutional Research. He will continue to serve MSOE on a part-time basis as the Director of Institutional Reporting.