Rick Steen
Football (1964-67)
Baseball (1965-66)
Rugby (1968-70)

Seldom do student athletes who choose to go into teaching and coaching achieve the respect, success and accolades from their peers, both locally and internationally, that Rick Steen has earned.

Rick was an all-around athlete, playing four years on the Wildcat football team and two years with the Wildcat baseball squad. After earning his BA in Physical Education in 1968, Rick cointinued to play rugby for many years in Chico and the Bay Area, and was selected the MVP of the Chico State team in 1969.

Though he played football for four years, baseball was Rick’s passion. His dedication to the sport, both in this country and in Europe is immeasurable. Not only did he take it upon himself to teach and coach baseball in Europe in the Fullbright Teacher Exchange program, he then made himself available to return to various European countries to teach the game to their aspiring athletes.

In 1995, Major League Baseball International selected Rick to work with a few other coaches to conduct what they referred to as the Road Show in Covent Gardens, London. His involvement in the Road Show led to his being named the head coach of the Ireland National Team in 1998. As coach of the national team, he led the squad in competition against squads from Finland, Portugal, Yuogoslavia, Austria, Norway, Switzerland...the list is endless.

Rick’s main coaching job, however, has been as the leader of the baseball program at San Ramon Valley High School. There he has built a program that is considered one of the finest high school programs in Northern California. In leading his team to several league and section championships, Rick has established himself as one of the top coaches in the state. In 2004, Rick was named California State Baseball Coach of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports magazine.