Following a successful three year career as head baseball coach during a four year stint at Occidental, Elliott Strankman has resigned from his position to focus on other opportunities in baseball beginning with his second season in the Northwoods League as the Field Manager of the Green Bay Bullfrogs.

"We are grateful to Elliott for the role he played in helping to rebuild the baseball program at Occidental and we wish him the best in his future endeavors," said athletic director Jaime Hoffman. A national search for Strankman's successor will begin immediately. "I look forward to filling the position with someone who can lead Oxy baseball to the next level."

Under Strankman's leadership, the Tigers improved from just six wins in 2005, when he served as an assistant, to a pair of 15 win seasons in 2006 and 2007 culminating with 17 victories in 2008. The 17 wins this spring were more than any other squad has totaled in a single season during the last decade.

He coached four athletes, Matt Andersen, Adam Franks, Matthew Jones and Glenn Gray, to two All-SCIAC recognitions apiece. Gray was also named to the All-West Region Team in 2007.

Beyond the playing field, his dedication to the bettering the program led to renovations of Anderson Field and the Spencer Fieldhouse. The major upgrades carried out during his tenure included new fencing, grass, dirt and foul poles on the field itself as well as lockers and a complete facelift to the clubhouse, which now includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, creating one of the finest facilities in Division III baseball.

In the summer of 2007 Strankman led the Bullfrogs to the playoffs in their inaugural season, posting a 43-25 overall record (tops in the league). He was named the Manager of the Year and served as the Southern Division manager at the All-Star game. Previously, he spent three summers as an assistant coach for the Alaska Goldpanners in Fairbanks.