Xavier High School has hired Bob Cataldo as its new varsity baseball coach, the school announced Wednesday.

Cataldo has served as a volunteer assistant for the Xavier varsity baseball program and has additional experience coaching for the baseball and football programs at Dowling Catholic High School in the 1990's.

Cataldo brings experience as a Division I athlete to the table, having participated in football and baseball at Notre Dame from 1988-1991, where he earned his degree in Economics in 1992.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as head baseball coach at Xavier High School, and am excited to begin my duties and build relationships with our outstanding student-athletes and their families," said Cataldo.

"I sincerely thank Coach Dave Schemmel and Coach Jim Arp for their years of leadership in creating a baseball program with high expectations and a rich tradition. I look forward to continuing that success and building upon the foundation they created.”

Cataldo will be only the second varsity baseball head coach in Xavier's history, taking over for Schemmel, who stepped down this past August. Since Xavier opened in 1998, its baseball program has amassed a record of 431-234 and advanced to three straight Class 3A state championship games in 2005, 2006 and 2007 (winning the state championship in 2006).

“We are excited to welcome Coach Cataldo to our baseball program," said Xavier High School principal Tom Keating. "His energy, passion and commitment to Catholic education are qualities that will serve him well as he leads our program.

"The experience he brings as a Division I athlete and a coach in a very successful program will allow him to challenge our student-athletes to perform at a very high level and to represent Xavier in a first-class manner."

Currently serving as the senior portfolio manager at United Fire Group, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Cataldo also is heavily involved as a volunteer, including serving as the president of the Xavier Booster Club. He is a 1988 graduate of Dowling Catholic High School. After graduating from Notre Dame, he earned his M.B.A. from Drake University in 1998.