Rivers leads Aggies in quiet fashion
“Good hustle” “way to make a play” and “that’s the way to rip the ball” are the words Utah State baseball Head Coach Ernie Rivers sings out in practice.
A self-described player’s coach almost to a fault, Rivers puts his team through its paces in preparation for their upcoming series with Fort Lewis College in Provo.
“I’m not a big screamer,” Rivers said. “That may be my biggest weakness as a coach; I don’t get after the guys too much. When I do though, they know it.”
Working full time at the Logan River Academy, with a wife, four daughters and coaching the USU team year-round is a full-time schedule.
Rivers has decided to add a little more to his plate – he is starting his master’s degree in sports management at USU in January.
“I really would like to have a career in sports,” Rivers said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”
He has 450 hours of internship credits to complete to receive his degree and hopes to finish half of it with either the Ogden Raptors or Salt Lake Stingers. The other half he would like to do with the USU Athletics department.
Rivers said his job at the Academy is very rewarding and he really enjoys working with the kids there.
The Academy is like a boarding house – the students receive their education and live there year-round.
“They are atypical kids,” Rivers said. “They’ve had some type of trauma in their lives, so we teach them there. They really are great kids.”
With his busy schedule he still finds time to spend with his wife, Kristy, whom he’s been married to for almost 12 years, and their daughters.
Rivers is quick to point out the reinforcement his wife has given him while he chases his team around the ball field five or six nights a week.
“I couldn’t do this without her support,” Rivers said. “She lets me live my foolish dreams. She really does.”
Moving with his wife from Lansing, Mich., Rivers began his USU career as a player, became a player/coach and took over as head coach three years ago. He came to USU because of the education program, and he and his wife have enjoyed Cache Valley ever since, Rivers said.
Having a full-time job and coaching the team does have its trying moments for Rivers.
“It’s tough having to raise money all the time; we don’t have much of a budget and it’s time-consuming,” he said. “And not having our own facilities is hard in the winter. We can only get indoors three times a week.”
Despite the challenges, Rivers enjoys working with the players and coaches. Rivers and his staff are a close-knit group both on and off the field.
Pitching coach Jeremy Gordon described his relationship with Rivers as being very good friends.
“Ernie is a great guy and he’s a great coach to work for,” Gordon said. “He really understands the game and we have trust between us. He allows me to do my job and knows I’ll prepare the pitchers. He can focus on the rest of the team and that helps us be successful.”
The combination has worked well the last few years, as the team is 59-31 under Rivers’ leadership.
Gordon described himself as the fiery part of the staff and Rivers as being more laid back and relaxed.
“I’m a hard-nosed, wear-my-emotions-on-my-sleeve type of coach,” Gordon said. “Ernie takes care of the guys more quietly than I do. Our styles go together really well.”
Rivers’ greatest reward is his players, he said. Getting out on the field and working with the young players is what it’s about for him.
The players on the team have to pay $600 or more for the chance to play ball for the club. There is no scholarship money available; they play for the love of the game.
“This is a pure form of college baseball,” Rivers said. “These guys are playing for the right reason. They are out here because they love it. That’s why I’m here; it’s right.”
Rivers and his charges play their final home game of the fall Oct. 25 against the Rocky Mountain All-Stars. Game times are to be announced.
-eds@cc.usu.edu