Varsity Baseball Coach Appointed

A familiar presence on the diamond, Dennis Kelly—longtime leader of the Lions’ JV Baseball team—has been appointed to the St. Mark’s full-time faculty and will take the helm of the Varsity Baseball program beginning this school year. An accomplished athlete, coach, and educator, Kelly brings a strong record of excellence and commitment to the School’s athletics program and community. In addition to guiding the baseball program, he will also join the Physical Education department.

“What excites me the most about leading the St. Mark’s baseball program is the shared quest for excellence with great people,” Kelly said. “I've coached JV baseball here for approximately ten years and in that time, I've fallen in love with the community as a whole.”

A Dallas native, Kelly earned a B.A. from Austin College and an M.Ed. from Xavier University and is currently pursuing a Master of Humanities at the University of Dallas. He spent several years playing professional baseball overseas, earning Hitter of the Year honors in leagues across Sweden, Australia, France, and Germany. More recently, he has served as a curriculum designer for local sports development centers and taught at St. Paul Catholic Classical School.

Athletic Director Sean Lissemore welcomed Kelly’s appointment, saying, “Dennis understands the mission and culture of St. Mark’s and is firmly committed to upholding the high standards of excellence, sportsmanship, and integrity that we expect from our student-athletes both on and off the field of play. Dennis will make an immediate impact, and I know he is eager to start working with our baseball team in preparation for the upcoming season.”

Kelly credits his coaching philosophy to two powerful influences. From his college baseball mentor, he learned the principle of kaizen—a daily commitment to steady, intentional growth by giving one’s best effort for both the team and oneself. From his father, he learned that the mind has the power to shape perspective, turning hardship into growth or comfort into complacency. Together, these lessons instilled in him a lasting resolve to pursue what is good and purposeful, even when faced with challenges.

“Through baseball and beyond it, long term success takes place when students develop the intellect to set goals and solve problems,” Kelly said. “Our shared quest provides the aim and the camaraderie to develop the habits of excellence; no one can go it alone. In order to endure the hardships along the way and celebrate the successes together, the greater lesson is working toward a shared vision and helping one another along the path.”