The Brian Bock Memorial Scholarship was established in the Bakersfield Catholic Education Foundation in December of 2020 through generous memorial contributions from friends and families.  The scholarship was established to assist students, like Brian, to obtain a Garces Memorial High School education by providing tuition assistance to Catholic students who demonstrate financial need and are involved in at least one extra-curricular activity. Through the scholarship, the memory of Brian will be honored for years to come by assisting others to have a Garces Memorial High School education.

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Brian passed away unexpectedly in 2019. His family selected the Bakersfield Catholic Education Foundation as the recipient for memorial gifts. Brian loved being a Garces Ram. While at Garces. Brian was a standout baseball player. He played at the varsity level all four years, winning SSL League Championships in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Brian’s dedication, commitment, and talent earned him a full-ride scholarship to play Division I Baseball for the University of Hawaii.  Not only did Garces help him to achieve his dream of playing baseball in college and beyond, but he also met the love of his life, his wife Megan (Bell) Bock at Garces. 

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Brian had a passion for baseball starting at a young age. While attending Garces, he was the catcher on the Bakersfield Babe Ruth National Championship teams in 1997 and 1998. After college, he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2003. He played in the Orioles organization for five years. Of the many accomplishments he had, one of the highlights was being the Orioles' catcher in the 2007 Baseball Hall of Fame game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was named the game's Most Valuable Player and his name is inscribed in Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame. After ending his baseball career, Brian returned to Bakersfield and joined W.A. Thompson Distributing in 2008.

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Brian and Megan married on October 21, 2006 and have two sons, Jameson and Benjamin.

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“Brian loved being a Garces Ram and part of the Garces community. The excellent education he received, and lessons learned through baseball and other extra-curricular activities helped shape the man he became. One of the greatest gifts he received during his time at Garces was building lifelong friendships that really speak to the family that the Garces community cultivates. Our family is so pleased that Brian’s memory will live on at Garces and help shape students’ future successes, as well as carrying on the Garces traditions.” – Megan (Bell) Bock ‘00, Brian’s wife  

 

“Garces has been and will always be a big part of our family’s lives.  We cannot think of a better way to honor Brian’s memory than to help students achieve their educational goals by attending Garces.” – Brenda & Jim Bock, Brian’s parents