Baseball Coaches

Ross Natoli

Head Baseball Coach natoli@cua.edu 202-319-6092

Head Coach Ross Natoli, in his 22nd season at Catholic University, has built the Cardinals into one of the most respected and competitive NCAA Division III programs in the East. He has led CUA to 20 or more victories eight times in the past 12 years and in 2003 picked up his 300th career victory.

Under Natoli's direction, the Cardinals' on-field personality reflects his own philosophy that perseverance, team unity and a commitment to academic and athletic excellence form the foundation for a successful program. He continues to strive to develop his teams with the goal of being consistent contenders for NCAA tournament play in the future.

A native Washingtonian, Natoli was a standout outfielder at cross-town rival George Washington University, from which he earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1981. After playing for two teams that advanced to NCAA Division I tournaments (1977, 1979), he served as the Colonials' top assistant coach from 1981-1984. He became the Cards' head coach in the fall of 1985, and is also widely recognized for founding and directing the highly regarded Ross Natoli Instructional Baseball Camps & Clinics for youth in the Washington metropolitan area.

Throughout his career, Natoli has continually upgraded CUA's baseball facilities, which are widely considered to be among the finest in the region.  State-of-the-art walk-in dugouts, indoor and outdoor batting cages, bullpens, practice pitching mounds and a quality playing surface are among the key facility components that provide an environment conducive to productive practice and exciting games.

In the fall of 2000, Natoli's significant fundraising efforts produced the baseball field's first electronic scoreboard.  It coincided with the dedication of Robert J. Talbot Field, named for the former CUA athletic director, Hall of Famer and baseball coach, who in 1977 led the "Cardiac Cardinals" to the NCAA Division I playoffs.  Talbot currently manages the Cardinal's Competitive Edge Campaign, a major fundraising initiative designed to considerably upgrade the entire CUA athletic complex.  Through the generous contributions of over 250 alumni, several major baseball facility enhancements are underway and scheduled for completion in 2007.  These include a newly resurfaced, state-of-the-art infield installed by the Ripken Design Group, stadium-style seating, a modern press box, sound system, warning track, fencing renovations, full infield tarp, professional quality bullpens and upgraded outdoor batting cages.   

Natoli and his wife, Nancy, live in Silver Spring, Md., with their 14-year-old twin daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, and 12 year-old son Nicholas. 

 

Bernie Dennis

Assistant Coach

Assistant coach Bernie Dennis is no stranger to the Catholic University baseball program.  Dennis was an All-CAC catcher for the Cardinals leading the squad to one of its best finishes in program history in 2004 with a record of 27-14-1.  He ranks in the top ten on a number of CUA all-time lists including doubles, hits, runs, walks and RBI.  Dennis was signed as a free agent by the Milwaukee Brewers and played with the minor league Arizona Brewers in 2005 as well as the Helena Brewers in 2006.  This summer Dennis will be playing for the San Angelo Colts in the United Baseball League.  The Arlington, Va., native went to Bishop O'Connell High School and currently resides in the Washington, D.C., area.

 

John Nolan

Assistant Coach

John Nolan begins his first year with the Cardinals after a successful career playing Division I baseball.  The Chantilly, Va., native was a right-handed pitcher for St. Bonaventure.  While Nolan was a member of the team, the Bonnies won the first A-10 baseball title in school history and advanced to the NCAA tournament.  He graduated with a degree in history.  At Chantilly High School, Nolan was all-district with a 4-4 record and 45 strikeouts in 47 innings.  He also lettered in cross country and track and field.  Nolan will coach the pitchers this season for CUA.  He resides in Fairfax, Va., and will be attending graduate school to obtain a master's in secondary education.

 

Jonas Singer

Assistant Coach

Jonas Singer was a three year varsity pitcher and first baseman at Washington University in St. Louis after playing for Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Md.  Singer has been the head coach for the Bethesda American Legion team for four seasons and assisted at his alma mater in Bethesda for two.  After achieving his master's degree in government from Johns Hopkins University, Singer joined the Reviving Baseball in Innercities program and the BATTER-UP Foundation, where he is the deputy director.  The organizations focus on developing an improved infrastructure for competitive baseball in Washington, D.C., especially for minority and inner city players.  Singer has also served time as an umpire in local competitive leagues with the Metropolitan Baseball Umpires Association (MBUA).  He currently resides in Washington, D.C.