Head Baseball Coach
Dr. Mike Karpel
Coach Karpel is in his second stint as head baseball coach at Barstow Community College, where he also serves as a full-time faculty member in the physical education department. In 2007, he led the Vikings squad to a 15 - win season, which constituted the most improved team in the State of California for Community College baseball that year. Three players from that 2007 squad were voted all-Foothill Conference.
Prior to his coaching stints at Barstow Community College, Coach Karpel served as an associate scout for the Houston Astros in 2004. From 2000–2003, Coach Karpel served as the pitching coach/recruiting coordinator at Brigham Young University. During his tenure at BYU, the Cougars won two Mountain West Conference Championships and advanced to two
Division-I NCAA Regionals: Lincoln, Nebraska (2001); and Los Angeles (2002) where BYU advanced to the Regional final game vs. USC in 2002. Also while at BYU, he coached two Mountain West Conference Pitchers of the year. One of those pitchers is Nate Fernley who is the current head baseball coach at El Camino Community College, and who led all Division-I pitchers in 2001 with 16 wins.
In 1999, Coach Karpel served as the Associate Head Baseball Coach at West Hills Community College in Coalinga, California. In 1998, Coach Karpel served as the pitching coach at La Quinta High School in Westminster, California which finished their season 30-2 and were ranked #10 in the final USA Today's National Baseball Poll. While at La Quinta High School, he coached two current Major League Players, Bobby Crosby (shortstop of the Oakland A's and 2004 American League Rookie of the Year) and Gerald Laird (catcher for the Detroit Tigers). From 1995–1997, Coach Karpel served as the pitching coach at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, California. The 1996 squad was the South Coast Conference Champions. While at Long Beach City College, Coach Karpel was instrumental in the development of former Houston Astros (2003–2006) left-handed relief pitcher, Mike Gallo, who made two appearances in the 2005 World Series. Coach Karpel has instructed over 25 professional baseball players and four Major League players, not to mention numerous all-conference and all-American collegiate student/athletes.
Coach Karpel played his collegiate baseball at California State University, San Bernardino and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor's Degree in Administration. He then went on to earn a Master's Degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific University in 1998, and a Doctorate Degree in physical education from Brigham Young University in 2006. Coach Karpel has also taught graduate and undergraduate courses in the Kinesiology departments at Cal State Los Angeles and Azusa Pacific University. |
Assistant Baseball Coach
Tim Ursich
Assistant Baseball Coach Tim Ursich, Jr. originally resided in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He graduated with honors in 2003 from Mary Star of the Sea High School. He was named to the 2nd team All League Selection in his first year of varsity during his sophomore year. He was part of the first team in Mary Star of the Sea High School's history to qualify for the California Interscholastic Federations finals his junior year.
After graduating High School he went on to play at Los Angeles Harbor College. After one year at Harbor College, he went on to play at Barstow Community College under head coach Mike Karpel. He was part of the historic Barstow College Barstow program which posted 15 wins, which were the most wins the program had seen since the early 70's. While at Barstow College, he was transitioned from an Outfielder to a Pitcher, where he went on the play at Central Methodist University in Missouri, utilizing the tools he had manifested under the guidance of Head Coach Karpel. He transferred from Central Methodist to play Division 1 baseball at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
After being sidelined by an injury to his throwing shoulder, Coach Mike Karpel invited Tim to jump aboard and lead the Vikings to another successful season. Tim is currently working on his DC at the University of Southern California Health Sciences, in hopes of following his father's footsteps in receiving his MD/DC.
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