Saint Stephen’s baseball is looking forward to an exciting change this year. It was announced recently that the program will have a brand new head coach, former pro baseball player Ken Bolek, who is set to take over this spring.

While Bolek’s name might not be immediately recognizable for everybody, he has a long and accomplished history of playing and coaching baseball. He was a member of the National Champion baseball team at the University of Arizona before he began his professional career by playing as a right-fielder for the Detroit Tigers.

From there, Bolek went from playing to coaching in 1982 when he became a member of the coaching staff with the Houston Astros. He coached there for six years, before leaving to coach for another six years with the Cleveland Indians. He then spent one year coaching for the Chicago Cubs.

Bolek served his longest tenure at IMG Academy, where he played an important role in developing the baseball program there. Bolek spent nineteen years coaching there afterwards, from 1995 to 2014.

“I am very excited for our baseball players to learn the game under Coach Bolek,” said Athletic Director Lenny Paoletti. “Professional experience aside, Coach Bolek graduated high school from a school very similar to Saint Stephen’s and he understands what it takes to be a success on the baseball field and in the classroom.”

Based on Bolek’s long history with baseball, it appears that he will be a great fit for Saint Stephen’s. His experience will likely make him an ideal coach for any falcon who wants to hone their skills on the baseball field.