San Bernardino Valley College men’s cross country coach Jim Ratigan was selected the state’s top cross country coach by the California Community College Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association.
Ratigan, who has led SBVC to a conference championship in each of his five years of leading the Wolverines, will receive the award at the association’s meeting Aug. 4 in Walnut Creek. According to information from the association, Ratigan was chosen due to “your positive contributions to the sport and coaches association, your ethical behavior and outstanding sportsmanship and the quality of your program this year.”
“Thank you to my fellow coaches for this great honor,” Ratigan said. “I am truly humbled to be named the state coach of the year. There are so many outstanding coaches that are deserving, I am beside myself to have this honor bestowed upon me.
“This award means a lot to me as a coach and educator. To put in the work not only as a coach, but more importantly as educator and a role model for my athletes and have this recognition is incredible.”
Ratigan is beginning his 11th year as a coach at SBVC, previously serving as an assistant for Wes Ashford. The Wolverines have won 22 consecutive conference titles, and finished fourth in the state last year. Ratigan credits the help he has gotten over the years that have helped him earn this award.
“I would like to thank the athletic staff at SBVC, especially Athletic Director Dave Rubio for giving me the opportunity to coach men’s cross country,” Ratigan said. “A coach is only as good as the people he surrounds himself with. I need to thank my assistant Matt Sartori for all of his hard work and input into continuing the tradition of success at Valley. Also a thank you to Gage Halle who is a tremendous volunteer assistant coach. Most importantly a special thanks to my wife, Michelle and son Kolby, who are very supportive of my daily coaching schedule and time away from home. I couldn’t do this without their support.”
The Wolverines will open their season Sept. 1 by running at the Redlands Invitational, then will host two meets this season. The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference preview race will be Sept. 22 and then the PCAC Championships will be Oct. 20. Both events will be run at Cal State San Bernardino beginning at 10 a.m.