Florida Baseball State Champs Tampa Jesuit Coach Miguel Menendez

• Grew up in Key West.
• First introduction to baseball through his grandfather and father.
• Grandfather coached Little League and had the first batting cage and pitching machine on the island.
• Playing and Coaching Career in Key West
• Played on successful high school teams, winning a state championship in his senior year.
• Attended University of Tampa to play baseball
• Key West to start coaching & teaching, eventually becoming head coach.
• Transition to Tampa Jesuit
• Tampa Jesuit provided a perfect fit for his faith life, family, and baseball aspirations.
• Emphasis on Jesuit's support and facilities.
• Success at Tampa Jesuit
• Played in five state championships in nine years.
• 2020 season impacted by COVID-19, it was their best team.
• Coaching Philosophy and Challenges
• Emphasis on holistic development of player
• focusing on producing good citizens and human beings.
• Open door policy for communication with parent
• Importance of building lifelong relationships with players.
• Faith plays a crucial role in his coaching career and personal life.
• Decision to move to Tampa Jesuit was also to benefit his family.
• Communication with Parents
  • Advocates for over-communication to avoid confusion and build trust.\
  • Understands parents' perspective as a father of 3 children involved in sports.
• Long-term Impact
  • Cherishes ongoing relationships with former players who reach out for guidance.
  • Highlights the importance of lifelong connections beyond high school.
• Player Development and Success
  • Mentions former players succeeding at the collegiate and professional levels.
  • Pride in seeing former players succeed both on and off the field.
• Community and Legacy
  • Reflects on the legacy of Al Lopez and his contributions to baseball and the Hispanic community.
  • Personal connection to the local baseball history and its impact on his coaching career.

· Importance of Jesuit Values

• Emphasis on students at Jesuit developing success in sports and beyond
• Sports as a tool for social interaction and teamwork
• Lifelong lessons from sports
• Back-to-back Tony Saladino tournament championships

· Notable Alumni & Role Models F

• Camden Minacci in the Angels organization
• Progression from freshman team to potential major league pitcher
• Testimony to work ethic and personal growth
• Bennett Lee’s influence and contributions
• Introduction of book club to foster team culture
• Alumni involvement in current team’s development
  Financial Accessibility
• Jesuit’s need-based financial aid and the step-up program
• Value of Jesuit education
• Cutting son from the team
• Difficult decision but ultimately beneficial for his son
• Life lessons learned and application beyond baseball

· Guidance for Players

• Helping players navigate college recruitment & career opportunities
• Importance of character development over just athletic performance
• Jesuit baseball approach in developing well-rounded individuals
• The importance of making difficult decisions for the greater good of the team and individual growth
• Great fellow coaches and friends Tim Knowles, Mike Swenson, Louie Martinez, Ryan Stanley, Daniel Gibson, Terry Rupp

Special Thanks to Williams Ross Chernoff's Nomads for the music Makie Elkino
Notes generated in part by DeScript