The Saint Joseph's baseball program and Saint Joseph's Athletics are mourning the loss of former head coach Jim Ertel, who passed away earlier this week after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Ertel was the head coach of the Saint Joseph's baseball program for eight seasons, leading the staff from 1997 to 2004.  His 142 victories are the third-most in SJU baseball history, while only three head coaches have enjoyed longer tenures in the Saint Joseph's dugout.  His squads reached double-digit conference win totals in three consecutive seasons from 2001 to 2003; before Ertel took over the program, the Hawks had achieved the milestone just twice.

Prior to his stint as the head coach, Ertel spent 10 years as the Hawks' pitching coach under Chris Loschiavo.  In all, five Hawks that donned the Crimson and Gray during Ertel's 18 years on Hawk Hill were drafted by Major League Baseball clubs.

The Hawks extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Coach Ertel, as well as those Hawk alums who played under his guidance.