Oxnard College Baseball Coach Requests ’86 Leave of Absence

Jerry White, who coached Oxnard College to Western State Conference baseball titles the past two years, has requested a leave of absence from teaching and coaching for the 1986 spring semester, according to the president of the college.

At least one returning Oxnard starter has indicated he will transfer to Moorpark College’s already well stocked program if White’s request is approved.

Ed Robings, president of Oxnard College, said Thursday that White’s request will be discussed Aug. 5 in a meeting with Alfred Fernandez, chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District, before being presented Aug. 6 to the district’s board of trustees for approval.

“Jerry has expressed a desire to take a one-semester leave,” Robings said. “He gave me every indication that he will be back teaching and coaching in the fall of 1986.”

White is on vacation, according to Robings, and was unavailable for comment.

Robings said that if the leave is granted, White will spend much of the time at professional and college baseball training camps.

“Jerry will study his profession in much the same way an instructor in an academic area studies during a sabbatical,” Robings said.

Oxnard, 28-11 last season, finished sixth in the California Community College Championships held in Fresno this year. The Condors were eighth in the state in 1984.

White has won three WSC championships in seven years at Oxnard. He captured one WSC title while at Moorpark from 1976 to 1978 and won seven league titles while at Hueneme High from 1963 to 1975.

Terry Pendleton of the St. Louis Cardinals, Kevin Gross of the Philadelphia Phillies and Jerry Willard of the Cleveland Indians played at Oxnard under White.

“Jerry is an outstanding coach and faculty member,” Robings said. “I look forward to his return.”

Robings said no successor will be sought until White’s request has been approved by the district’s trustees.

Some Oxnard athletes are already looking for a new place to play baseball.

Bobby Cabello, an all-WSC freshman shortstop for Oxnard last season, indicated that he will jump to Moorpark if White’s request is approved.

“I heard Coach White was taking a year off, but I haven’t been able to get in touch with him,” Cabello said. “If it’s true, I’ll transfer to Moorpark College.

Cabello said he spoke with Moorpark Coach Ron Stillwell at the Philadelphia Phillies tryout camp held Wednesday at Thousand Oaks High.

“He asked me about Coach White,” Cabello said. “But he didn’t push me about transfering. I know they’ll have a good team at Moorpark.”

In 1984, Stillwell’s first season with the Raiders after a six-year layoff from coaching, Moorpark was third in the WSC with a record of 10-8 and was 16-18 overall. Stillwell said recent recruiting efforts have gone well.

“Five starters from that great Simi High team have given verbal commitments,” Stillwell said. “Also, Jon Egertson is transfering from Cal Lutheran and Joey Shoen is transfering from CSUN.”

Three players who started for Pierce--Steve Reed, Mark Glennie and Jim Bodack--have also verbally committed to Moorpark, according to Stillwell. The coach added that Angel Baroso and Joe Solomon from Camarillo High (which was 4-A Southern Section runner-up) and Jeff Cox from Hueneme High have also indicated they will play at Moorpark.

Eric Fischer, Glen Davis, Sean Harrigan, Chris Hale and Tom Sullivan are the five players headed to Moorpark from the Simi team that was 24-4 last season. Each confirmed Thursday that he will play for the Raiders next season.

Stillwell said he is not surprised that they are headed his way.

“I went to at least 10 Simi games,” he said. “I made myself visible and, of course, Moorpark is the local JC, so it’s not an illogical choice.”

Harrigan, an All-Marmonte League pitcher last season, said he is pleased that much of his Simi team will remain intact in college.

“I think it’s kind of neat,” he said. “I won’t mind having those bats behind me again.”

With so much talent headed toward the Raider field, competition for starting positions may be as heated as games.

“Good competition brings the best out in everyone,” Stillwell said, laughing. “Here it is July and I’m already excited about next season.”