Razo named ABCA National Coach of the Year

Heartland Community College Head Baseball Coach Chris Razo has been honored by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). 

Razo was named the 2023 NJCAA Division II Coach of the Year by the ABCA. In addition to the national honor, the Heartland Head Coach was also named Regional NJCAA DII Coach of the Year. 

Under Coach Razo’s leadership, the Heartland Hawks have made two appearances in the NJCAA DII National Tournament, and in the second year won it all. Heartland Baseball entered the 2023 championship tournament this year as the top seed, with an overall record of 53-5. The Hawks advanced undefeated in post-season play through the entire World Series tournament. 

“This honor is well-earned by what Coach Razo has accomplished with wins but also outside of competition. Chris embodies everything athletics at Heartland tries to accomplish. He brings the experiences and lessons learned from a very successful college and professional career," said Heartland Athletics Director Ryan Knox. “You can’t ask for a better on-field performance that what our team accomplished this year with a World Series title. But off the field our players set a new high mark with GPA. Chris is a big part of what these student-athletes have been able to achieve." 

A Chillicothe native, Razo joined the Heartland staff in 2018, serving as pitching coach, and became Interim Head Coach in the winter of 2020. The interim tag was removed in May of 2020.
 
As a player, Razo spend two years as a Heartland Hawk before moving to Illinois State University where he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 24th round in 2013. While at Illinois State, Razo was selected to the MVC All-Conference first team, and also won Pitcher of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference.

About the ABCA

Founded in 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 13,000 members represent all 50 states and over 30 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth.