Born: May 19, 1959
Azusa Pacific University-M.Ed-1991
Pepperdine University-B.A.-1981
Foothill College-A.A.-1979
THE COACH:
High School: Larry Baratte began his career at Thousand Oaks High School in 1981 coaching the Boys Water Polo Team and the Boys and Girls Swimmimng Teams. He coached swimming from 1982 through 1987. During his six seasons his teams won nine Marmonte League titles (Boys 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, and Girls 1985, 1986, 1987). Along with numerous Marmonte League, and CIF-Southern Section individual champions, Coach Baratte developed seven National High School All-Americans in swimming. His combined dual meet record was 91-5.
While coaching Water Polo from 1981-1984, his teams advanced to the CIF playoffs each year. Along with numerous All-Marmonte league, and All-County players, he coached one National High School All-American in water polo.
Ventura College: In 1988, Larry Baratte became Assistant Water Polo Coach and Assistant Men’s and Women’s Swim Coach at Ventura College. In 1990, he was named the Head Women’s Swim Coach which he held until 1992. In 1992 he was hired to a full-time faculty position at Ventura College, heading the Men’s Water Polo and Men’s Swimming Teams. In 1993 he once again took over the Women’s team, and continues coaching both teams to this day. In 1999, he stepped down as the Men’s Water Polo coach and assumed the position of Aquatics Director at the Ventura College Aquatic Center.
During his water polo career, his teams were selected for the post season playoffs, in six of his eight seasons.
In 1997, his team advanced to the State Championships. In addition, his 1997 team was named the states’ top scholar team. Coach Baratte has produced eleven National Community College All-Americans, and was named the Western State Conference Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1999. His overall record was 151-87-6. In 1995, he founded the Women’s Water Polo program and developed it as a club team until it was adopted as a varsity sport by the athletic department in 1998.
Throughout his swim coaching career at Ventura College, Coach Baratte’s teams have won twelve Western State Conference titles (Men 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and Women 1990, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005). His 2005 Men’s Team won the California State Swimming and Diving Championship.
His teams have finished in the top five at the California State Championship meet fifteen times. He has been named Western State Conference Coach of the Year ten times, and was named the California State Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2005. Coach Baratte has developed eighteen California State Champions in forty individual or relay events. In addition, he has coached eighteen Western State Conference Athletes of the year, three California State Athletes of the Year, two National Community College All-Americans. His men’s swim team has been honored as the state’s top scholar team seven consecutive years (2000-2006). His Men and Women swim team’s overall dual meet record stands at 203-27.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Coach Baratte is an active member of the American Swim Coaches Association, Governing member of the California Community College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association and works to develop age group swimming and water polo.
PERSONAL:
Larry and his wife Beth have three sons, Chase, Collin, and Cole. He is the Son of Larry and Elaine Baratte.