La Salle Selects Former Athletic Director, College Coach to Lead Baseball Program

La Salle College Preparatory has hired Mike Solar as its new head baseball coach. Solar will also serve as a physical education teacher and the athletic facilities coordinator.

Solar brings an abundance of administrative and coaching experience with him to La Salle, including twelve years as an athletic director at Bishop Alemany, eleven years as a head baseball coach at Los Altos and St. Francis, and a combined eleven years as an assistant baseball coach at Alemany and Occidental College. In addition, he also provides years of experience in teaching physical education, coaching football, and serving as an athletic field director.

“We are very excited to have Mike join the La Salle community as a valuable member of our faculty and athletic department. He is a perfect fit for what we were looking for as an educator, coach, and facilities coordinator,” said Brian Walsh, Athletic Director of La Salle. “His experience, knowledge, and professionalism will be instrumental in the future success of our baseball program and the La Salle community as a whole.”

As a student-athlete and coach, Mike has a proven track record of success. He prepped at Covina High School where he was a three-sport letterman, capturing a CIF Championship in baseball in 1988. Solar played college baseball at Cal State Northridge from 1989-1992, playing in the 1990 Division II National Championship game. His 1991 team lost in the West Regional final and finished 10th in the country in its first year of Division 1 Baseball. Mike began his career as the head baseball coach at Los Altos High School in 1997, twice leading his teams to the CIF Quarterfinals. As the head coach at St. Francis High School for six seasons, Solar’s tenure was highlighted by an appearance in the 2006 CIF Division II Finals at Anaheim Stadium. Mike has coached over 60 student-athletes who have gone on to play collegiate baseball.

“It is an honor and I am humbled to lead the La Salle College Preparatory baseball program. I would like to thank Athletic Director Brian Walsh and the school administration for this opportunity,” said Solar. “As a player, administrator, and head coach, I have been fortunate to lead and serve many teams over my career. I am excited to join the Lancer Family and cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes.”

Mike is married to his wife Gena, and together they have one daughter Ashley, who currently attends Baylor University.

La Salle College Preparatory, 3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 351-8951 or visit www.lasallehs.org.