Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy is pleased to announce the appointments of head baseball coach Ryan Hendrick along with assistant coaches Joey Ianiero, Jason Lucas, and Jay Nungesser.
Director of Athletics & Activities Dr. Rodkey believes the experience and diversity among the coaches will help to “create a positive and nurturing learning environment. The experiences and knowledge that each of our coaches offers will allow our players to develop and grow both on and off the field.”
Coach Hendricks was an assistant baseball coach last year for the WolfPack and is taking the helm this year with over 12 years of coaching experience under his belt. He has coached in the State College Junior Spikes organization as well as the State College Teener League and Little League organizations.
Hendrick views this coaching opportunity as a way to “give back to a community that has given so much to me and my family. My entire life I have been involved in baseball in the State College area and Saint Joe’s is the perfect place for me to continue my baseball journey. The student athletes’ faith, ambitions, goals and desires match that of mine as a student, making Saint Joe’s a perfect place for me to coach.”
In the short-term, Hendrick hopes to create a strong interest in Saint Joe’s baseball within the area. “To do so we will have a high energy, high intensity group of players that are motivated to be the best they can be both academically and scholastically. As we progress over the next few seasons Saint Joe’s baseball will be recognized as a strong baseball program offering our players the opportunity to progress at a collegiate level if they so desire. Any good coach is always trying to get their players ready for that next level and our organization will do that for our student athletes, in a fashion that is consistent with the four pillars at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy.”
Joining the staff this season is Joey Ianiero. Ianiero not only brings in coaching experience, but his own playing experience as having been a second baseman on Rutgers University’s baseball team (2007-2009) as well as Bloomsburg University’s baseball team (2010-2011). He acquired the following honors while playing at the collegiate level: All Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Second Team, National Writers Association All-Atlantic Region Baseball Team, and a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association All-Atlantic Region Baseball Team.
Coach Jason Lucas joins the WolfPack this year and brings with him an extensive baseball background as well. Lucas is from Florida and attended Westminster Christian Academy in Palmetto Bay, Florida. He was on the University of Florida Baseball team before an accident ended his baseball career. Lucas took his passion for baseball and threw himself into coaching the game. He has coached various baseball teams in Florida, girls softball in Pennsylvania, and gives one on one baseball training.
Rounding out the Saint Joseph’s baseball staff is Jay Nungesser. Nungesser volunteered with the WolfPack in the past and will join the coaching staff this season as an assistant.
Dr. Rodkey believes the future of Saint Joseph’s baseball is “in good hands because these coaches understand that, outside of learning baseball, faith, scholarship, leadership, and service are the pillars that will help mold these young men to be the future leaders of tomorrow. Coach Hendrick and his staff are going to bring new perspectives, a renewed energy to the program, and ensure the players are having fun while working hard.”
[Photo: SJCA Head Baseball Coach Ryan Hendrick.]
