AZUSA, Calif. — Tony Barbone, a towering figure in collegiate baseball, passed away on April 13, 2025, at the age of 71 after a long battle with a tumor on his brain stem. Over a distinguished 16-year tenure as head coach at Azusa Pacific, Barbone amassed 516 victories, setting a record that stood for nearly two decades. His teams dominated the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), securing eight conference titles and finishing as runners-up five times. At the time of his departure in 2002, Barbone was celebrated as the winningest coach in APU's history.
Barbone's journey to coaching excellence was rooted in his deep connection to APU. Working multiple jobs and supplementing his income with financial aid, he self-financed his education, earning a bachelor's degree in 1977. His commitment to both academics and athletics exemplified the spirit of perseverance and dedication.
Predominately a lifetime native of Southern California, Barbone was raised in the San Gabriel Valley and attended Royal Oak High in Covina. However, he lived a year in Spain with his family and later graduated from Cherry Creek High in Englewood, Colo., where his family lived for another year. His collegiate playing career began at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., where he lettered for 2 seasons for well-known coach Art Mazmanian. He transferred to Azusa Pacific in the fall of 1974 and was the Cougars' starting first baseman for longtime Cougar coach Tom Nelson during the 1975 and 1976 seasons. As a Cougar, he had a 2-year batting average of .314 with 9 home runs and 47 RBIs while helping Azusa Pacific compile a 60-37 record. His Cougar teammates included eventual major league players Paul Moskau (Cincinnati Reds) and John Littlefield (San Diego Padres). Barbone graduated from Azusa Pacific in 1977 with a bachelor's in English. He later earned a master's degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific in 1984.
Beyond APU, Barbone's influence extended to Concordia Irvine where he was the skipper from 2004–2007, winning 109 games in that span while leading the Eagles to their first-ever NAIA World Series appearance in 2006. His excellence in collegiate athletics continued in administration as athletic director at Pasadena City College (PCC). In 2016, his contributions were further recognized with an induction into the San Gabriel Valley Hall of Fame, honoring his impact on the region's athletic landscape.
"Tony Barbone brought a rare mix of wit, wisdom, and competitive fire to the dugout," said APU Director of Athletics Gary Pine. "You always knew the Cougars had a shot to win when Bones and his #2 jersey was in the dugout. His presence inspired confidence, and his legacy continues to shape the DNA of Cougar Baseball."
"Tony was a players' coach," added former Azusa Pacific Athletic Director and NAIA Hall of Famer Cliff Hamlow. "He was an excellent teacher—demanding, while creating a solid team concept. He had an excellent baseball mind. Opponents respected his management of the game. He helped his student-athletes become grown men and in doing that was a man of faith. His humor was enjoyed by all."
Barbone began his coaching career at Azusa High, where in his third season, he guided the Aztecs to the 1983 CIF title, the school's first championship in 27 years. He was named CIF 1A Coach of the Year as a result. The following year, he joined the highly successful Citrus College program as an assistant to Skip Claprood. After 2 years there, Barbone returned to his alma mater, Azusa Pacific, in 1985 as the fifth coach in the program's history.
Barbone's legacy is a testament to passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to multiple generations of student-athletes. His influence shaped not only the teams he led but also the broader sports community, leaving an indelible mark that will be remembered for generations.
