San Diego State great Stephen Strasburg has been determined to make a difference for the SDSU baseball program since retiring from the major leagues and moving back to town 1 1/2 years ago.

“This place is near and dear to my heart,” said Strasburg, who pitched at SDSU from 2007-09 before being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals. “My parents are alumni. I’m an alumni. It feels like I was pitching out there at Tony Gwynn Stadium just yesterday.

Strasburg has worked behind the scenes with donations and alumni engagement. Now he will have a more public role as special assistant to new Aztecs coach Kevin Vance.

The multi-faceted role will include everything from mentoring players and helping develop pitchers to assisting with fundraising and special events as well as donor and alumni relations.

“Stephen Strasburg is arguably the best pitcher in college baseball history, but what makes this announcement so speical is how much he cares about this program,” Vance said in a school release. “He’s a proud Aztec and San Diegan, and he’s never forgotten his roots.

“Stephen didn’t arrive on the Mesa as the individual we know today. He earned it through hard work, competing in a great culture and program buit by Tony Gwynn. He wants to help give our players the same opportunity and environment to grow. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him back home to SDSU baseball.”

Stephen Strasburg was back at San Diego State today following the announcement that he has been hired as a special assistant to new ⁦@AztecBaseball⁩ head coach Kevin Vance. pic.twitter.com/DV4U73D9iI

— Kirk D Kenney (@sdutkirKDKenney) October 27, 2025

Strasburg won the Golden Spikes Award in 2009, capping a career in which he set school records for most strikeouts in a game (23 against Utah), season (195) and career (375) and tied the school record for victories in a season (13). The last win came in his final home start, a no-hitter against Air Force.

Strasburg pitched 13 seasons in the majors and was a three-time All-Star. His career highlight was being 2019 World Series MVP for the championship Nationals team.

“I’ve been blessed to play baseball at the highest level,” Strasburg said. “One of the most asked questions by peers was, ‘What was it like to play for Tony Gwynn?’ This program, his legacy, is really, really important and held in high regard in the game of baseball. I’m excited to move it forward into the future and, hopefully, bring a national championship here someday.”

Over the summer, Strasburg and his wife made what the university called a “pivotal gift” toward improvements at Tony Gwynn Stadium that will be used to replace the fence.

“It will definitely give a new look,” said Strasburg, adding, “Tony Gwynn Stadium has great bones. I remember my last few games with the sellout crowds and the fire trucks over there on the street. I mean, it’s electric.

“This community, this city, gets behind their baseball teams. I think we can get San Diego State baseball to get up on that level. There’s new competition going to the Pac-12. Oregon State is going to be a formidable foe. We’ve got to get our act together and be ready for them.”

Strasburg isn’t content to simply write checks. He is eager to be a presence for the program.

“When I was in college, the goal was to go to Omaha (for the College World Series),” Strasburg said. “We didn’t get it done. Now, in a way, I want to do everything I can to help the current players get to Omaha.

“I’m just trying to make myself available. The guys can ask me anything, and I’ll give them my opinion. I also know that you can learn something from anybody in this game. … I really believe that having this environment where players can be themselves, they feel confident in what they’re doing and aren’t afraid to ask questions, that’s where you’re going to see real growth.”