Glen Gardner is in his 29th season on the Scarlet Knights' staff in 2019. One of the finest student-athletes in Rutgers history, Gardner has been one of the main contributors of the success of the program during his time "On the Banks." He has worked as the director of baseball operations, after serving the previous 18 seasons as an assistant coach, volunteer assistant coach and now is the senior advisor to the head coach.
Playing and working under former head coach Fred Hill, Gardner gave a memorable speech on Moose Day highlighting the career of the legendary mentor. A season-high crowd witnessed the event that saw Hill's number retired on the outfield wall at Bainton Field.
Gardner was recently recognized with as a winner of the 2016 Tom Walter/Pete Frates College Baseball Inspiration Award for continuing his duties with the Scarlet Knights despite living with multiple sclerosis.
Nationally-renowned for his hitting instruction and his results at Rutgers, Gardner has been lauded time and time again for his efforts during his 18 years as an assistant coach. He brought in some of the finest recruiting classes in the Big East, helping to elevate Rutgers to national prominence.
Gardner's success as a coach is best exhibited by the success of his players. From 1998-2002, Rutgers posted a team batting average over .310 and several of its players ranked among the nation's best. Darren Fenster (.433) and Joe B. Cirone (.405) finished in the top 40 nationally in 2000, while Billy McCarthy (.423) accomplished the feat in 2001. In 2003, RU posted a team average of .307, with a school-record 319 walks and .409 on-base percentage. In 2004, Jeff Frazier set the school's career home run record (34) in just three seasons before his brother Todd Frazier eclipsed the mark in 2007 with a record 42 in the same span. Both were drafted after three seasons with Jeff going to the Detroit Tigers in the third round in 2004 and Todd going to the Cincinnati Reds in the first round in 2007.
In 2007, the Scarlet Knights belted a school record 63 home runs, highlighted by Todd Frazier's school-record 22 blasts - a testament to Gardner's results of the continued development of the players. His work with Todd Frazier transformed the shortstop into a First Team All-American and one of the top professional prospects in 2007.
One of the most prolific hitters in Rutgers' history, Gardner was a two-time All-America selection and, in 1997, was inducted into the Rutgers Olympic Sports Hall of Fame - one of 11 former baseball players who have earned the distinction.
In his three seasons as an outfielder, he compiled a career .356 batting average with 23 home runs and 141 RBI. All three numbers rank among the Rutgers all-time top 10. After his junior year in 1987, the San Diego Padres drafted him in the 13th round, but he opted to stay at RU and was selected by the Atlanta Braves the following year. Gardner advanced to Burlington, Iowa (Class A) in the Atlanta Braves organization before being struck in the eye by a batted ball, which ended a promising professional career.
Under Gardner's tutelage, several Scarlet Knights have had outstanding seasons. He has seen several of his pupils continue on to the professional level. In the past 15 years, Rutgers has sent numerous hitters onto the professional ranks, including sixth-round pick Billy McCarthy (Braves) in 2001, fourth-round pick David DeJesus (Royals and A's) the season before and Midwest League All-Star Pete Zoccolillo (Brewers) in 1999.
Gardner is single and resides in Pt. Pleasant, N.J. He played scholastically at Immaculata High School in Somerville and was named one of the top New Jersey players of the 1980s by the Star-Ledger sports staff.
