July 18, 2018

Fester to lead Dutchmen at LVC

More news about: Johns Hopkins | Lebanon Valley

ANNVILLE, Pa. – Lebanon Valley College has announced that former Johns Hopkins University standout and coach Jonas Fester will serve as the baseball program's next head coach.

Fester most recently served as the associate head coach at Division III powerhouse Johns Hopkins. From 2008 to 2010, he served as an assistant coach before returning to the program in a more prominent role in 2012. He becomes LVC's 33rd head coach in the program's 125-year history.
 
"Jonas emerged as the top candidate from a long list of outstanding applicants," said LVC Director of Athletics Rick Beard '90, M'92. "His ability to articulate his understanding of the game and the purpose of NCAA Division III athletics set him apart from other qualified candidates. It's truly an exciting time for our baseball program."
 
In addition to his time at JHU, Fester was also the head coach for the Baltimore Redbirds Youth program from 2015 to 2017. There, he oversaw their development as both players and young men. Today, he continues to assist them in placement in college baseball programs.
 
Fester also has international experience, as he was head coach of Switzerland's Hunenberg Unicorns in 2013. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Fester served as the top assistant at Catholic University for two years. Under his guidance, the Cardinals secured their first NCAA Tournament appearance and defeated the No. 1 team in the nation.
 
"I am thrilled to join the Lebanon Valley College family and humbled that I have been trusted to lead the baseball team," said Fester. "I would like to thank Rick Beard, Stacey Hollinger, and the rest of the search committee for this opportunity. I am eager to meet our talented team, engage with a successful group of alumni, and immerse myself into the LVC campus and community."
 
During his time as a player for the Blue Jays, Fester was an integral part of the program's immense success. The shortstop earned a plethora of national accolades, including ABCA First-Team All-America and CoSIDA Third-Team Academic All-America honors. He was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District pick, a regional player of the year, and a First-Team All-Centennial honoree on two occasions. He still holds the school record for doubles in a season (27) and he finished his career with an impressive .390 batting average. Fester graduated from Johns Hopkins in 2008 with a degree in political science.
 
Upon graduation, Fester played professionally in the American Association and Continental League. The Dallas, Texas native was the first player in Johns Hopkins baseball history to reach the College World Series as both a player and coach.