2023 HAWKS FIELD STAFF

Van Tol returns for his third season managing the Boise Hawks as an independent, his second stint after managing the Hawks in 2013 and 2014 as an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Van Tol spent 10 years with the Chicago Cubs in player development as a minor league coach and was part of the organization’s historic 2016 World Series Championship. After coming within one game of winning the 2021 Pioneer League championship, six of his players signed with major league organizations prior to the 2022 season. With only one returning starter in the field and two starting pitchers from the 2021 Southern Division championship team, Van Tol patiently rebuilt the roster while enduring a 30-67 overall record last season. With 15 players returning for the 2023 season, Van Tol is excited to have a strong, experienced core back in the starting lineup to go along with high expectations of making it back to the Pioneer League championship series.

Baseball has also taken Van Tol around the world, a native of Pincher Creek, Alberta, he started his playing career at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon, earning Region-18 Second Team honors and finished his college career at Gonzaga University where he was All Pac-10 first team and third-team Academic All-America. Van Tol was a member of the Canadian National Team, competing in the 1991 Pan American Games in Cuba, the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, the World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta and the 1989 Presidential Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. He finished his playing career with Levis Neptunus in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the 1993 Dutch and European Cup champions. He also worked for Major League Baseball as an envoy coach and assisted the Great Britain National Team in 1996.

Van Tol earned his bachelor and master of arts degrees from Gonzaga University. Gary and his wife, Christina, live in Boise and have four children; Gehrig, Amaia, Peyton and Gibson.

Michiel begins his third season as the pitching and strength coach of the Boise Hawks. Prior to the Hawks, Michiel was on Van Tol’s staff at Boise State University. Michiel’s connection to Van Tol started 27 years ago when Van Tol recruited Michiel to pitch for him at Treasure Valley Community College. The Haarlem, Netherlands native finished his college career at the College of Idaho were he earned his bachelor’s degree in international business and business administration.

Michiel returned home to start his professional career in the Dutch Professional League from 1998-2010. During that time he was a member of the Netherlands National Team, was part of six European Cups, four World Cups, three Intercontinental Cups, two World Baseball Classics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Michiel and his wife, Renae, who he met at Treasure Valley Community College, moved to Boise in 2010. They have two daughters, Skyler and Morgan.

Sutton returns for his second season with the Boise Hawks. His most recent coaching position was with the Minnesota Twins organization from 2020-2021 were he managed the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Twins High A affiliate.

Before joining the professional ranks, Sutton was the head coach at Montana State University Billings, an NCAA DII program. There he set the school record for wins, and took the program to their first ever West Region tournament. He was named conference coach of the year twice and during his three-year tenure his teams broke over 100 conference and program records.

Sutton began his coaching career at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon. The Fruitland, Idaho native led the program to three East Region titles and was named region coach of the year three times.

Aaron and his wife, Kristin, live in Fruitland. They have two boys, Seager and Decker.

Ryan joins Van Tol’s staff for the 2023 season, his first in professional baseball. Bobo is currently in his 19th year as the head baseball coach at Skyview High School in Nampa, where he also teaches U.S. Government and A.P. Psychology.

Prior to Skyview, Ryan coached at Buhl High School in Buhl, Idaho winning the 3A Idaho State championship as an assistant in 2001. Ryan was the head coach at Buhl for three seasons. He has also assisted at Highland and Century High Schools in Pocatello.

Ryan graduated from Pocatello High School and played football at Idaho State University. Ryan has a 722-437 record as a head coach during his 23 years and has been awarded S.I.C coach of the year 6 times during his tenure at Skyview. Skyview has won six district championships and finished second at the state tournament twice under Ryan’s leadership.

He has two daughters, Aivry and Sydney.