Vanguard University

The athlete: Kip joins the Pride for his senior season on collegiate baseball?transferred from Long Beach State University, where he played three seasons under Head Coach Mike Weathers?redshirted the 2009 season while recovering from an injury?played in 19 games as a junior in 2008, and started 11 of those contests?hit .250 in 36 at-bats?before LBSU, graduated from Mid Pacific Institute in Manoa, Hawaii?played for coach Dunn Muramuru at MPI?was named first team all-state as a senior, as well as the position player of the year?drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 47th round of the 2005 MLB draft?also played basketball in high school?possesses great baseball tools?had a terrific offseason, and will provide the Lions with experience and talent behind the dish?should have a great season in 2010.

The person: Kip was born on October 17, 1987, in Honolulu, Hawaii?parents are Brian and Linda?has one brother, Chase, who also played college baseball?loves to eat fish and breakfast burritos?favorite movie is "Sister Act II" and TV show is "Lost"?roots for the University of Hawaii?sports hero is Tiger Woods?likes the color brown and the number eight?favorite actor in Denzel Washington?enjoys working out and spear fishing?thinks that pride is the most important characteristic for a person to have?most respects his father?learned that life is too short to waste?baseball has taught his that he lucky to be playing while he could be working?career goals are to play in the MLB or become a firefighter.

Coach Grajeda's Comments: "Kip will begin the year as the team's starting catcher after a great fall. He will also see time as a DH and occasionally in the outfield. He is an easy going guy, but flips the switch when he walks between the lines and plays the game hard."