Sports Psychologist Ken Ravizza Passes Away
July 09, 2018 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES โ Dr. Ken Ravizza, one of the leading sports psychology consultants in the nation who served as sports psychologist for the UCLA baseball team since 2010, passed away on Sunday.
"I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Ken Ravizza," said UCLA Baseball Head Coach John Savage. "One of the most kind and insightful people I have had the pleasure to know, Ken made a tremendous impact on our program over the past nine years. It was his mission to provide people with the tools to improve themselves, both on and off the field, and he touched the lives of countless players, coaches and staff members. We are all better having known Ken.ย We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
Ravizza began working with the Bruins in 2010 and helped UCLA to three College World Series appearances including the program's only national championship in 2013. Over the past nine seasons with the Bruins, Ravizza has helped UCLA to seven postseason appearances and a .634 winning percentage, while also working with 22 All-Americans and 36 All-Pac-12 selections.
For over 30 years, Ravizza, Professor Emeritus in the Kinesiology Department at Cal State Fullerton, worked with some of the top athletes and coaches in the world including the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Galaxy. He worked at the Olympic and international levels with the United States Olympic Softball, Field Hockey, Equestrian, Men's Water Polo, Men's and Women's Volleyball, Baseball and Figure Skating Associations. Ravizza also authored "Heads-Up Baseball: Playing the Game One Pitch at a Time." where he focused on traditional mental preparation and visualization skills.
Ravizza is survived by his wife Claire and daughters Monica and Nina.