WEST PALM BEACH – The King’s Academy Athletic Department is pleased to announce the hiring of Jarrod Saltalamacchia to be the new head baseball coach for the Lions. Saltalamacchia recently retired from his career as a Major League Baseball player and spent the 2019 season on the Lions’ baseball coaching staff assisting another Major Leaguer, Head Coach Brad Wilkerson. Wilkerson recently announced that he was stepping down as the Lions’ head coach to pursue other opportunities in the baseball world. Saltalamacchia, a Royal Palm Beach High School alum, is most noted for his key role as the starting catcher for the 2013 World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Saltalamacchia enjoyed a long career as a baseball player that spanned more than a decade. During his career in the Major Leagues, he hit 110 home runs, 381 RBIs, and won a gold medal for the United States in the Junior Olympics.

“We are very blessed to be able to transition smoothly from Coach Wilkerson to Coach Saltalamacchia. Jarrod was very impressive in his interview for both the assistant coach role and months later for the head coach role. After a long career in the Majors, with much of that experience as a catcher, I obviously was not concerned about his baseball knowledge. What I value most was how passionate he is about using the platform of baseball to mentor young men for the Lord.” – Dr. Chris Hobbs, Director of Athletics

“I’m so excited to join a program with such a distinct tradition of faith. Leading the baseball program just gives me an opportunity to the Lord’s work in an area that he blessed me with a unique platform. I cannot wait to see all of the great plans unfold that God has for the young men in our program.” -Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Head Baseball Coach at The King’s Academy

The King’s Academy Athletic Department strives to use ‘excellence in athletics’ to have eternal impact on its student-athletes. A member of the Florida High School Athletic Association, the ‘Lions’ have claimed 123 district titles, 40 regional titles, and 11 state championships. Student-athletes at The King’s Academy have gone on to successful collegiate athletic careers at some of the most accomplished universities in the country as well as professional athletic careers in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball. The campus features facilities that would rival many small colleges; these facilities include the Loveland Athletic Center, Kahlert Stadium, the TKA Track & Field Stadium, and the Full-Page Aquatics Center.

For more information about The King’s Academy Athletic Department, visit www.tkalions.net or follow on social media, @TKALions

PHOTO:
TKA Director of Athletics, Dr. Chris Hobbs with Head Baseball Coach, Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Press release credit: Chris Hobbs, The King’s Academy Director of Athletics