The Penn State Greater Allegheny baseball program is under the direction of fourth-year Head Coach, Jim Chester. Chester took over the baseball program in July of 2007.  Immediately after inheriting a team coming off a 0-9 season, Chester led the Nittany Lions to a then program best 23 wins and a spot in the USCAA National Championships.

In the spring of 2009, Greater Allegheny shattered the school record for wins with 35. The Nittany Lions also secured its second consecutive bid to the USCAA National Championships. The program also saw its first win over an NCAA II institution on March 9, 2009 with a 6-0 victory over Ohio Valley University (WV) in Cocoa Beach, FL. They also got their first win over a NCAA Division III school on March 10, 2009 with a 12-7 defeat of Norwich University (VT).

In the spring of 2010, the Lions got off to a rocky 2-6 start. Greater Allegheny would win 20 of its next 22 contests to capture the PSUAC Regular Season Championship, while posting a perfect 16-0 conference record. The Lions also secured their third consecutive USCAA National Tournament appearance, finishing 5th in the 10-team tournament. Freshman Mike Visloski was also selected as the PSUAC Player of the Year, while Chester was selected as the Coach of the Year.

Under Chester’s guidance, PSUGA placed four players on the USCAA All-American team and six players on the USCAA  All-American Honorable Mention team.  Twelve different players have been placed on the PSUAC All-Academic Team.

Chester came to Penn State Greater Allegheny after serving as Head Coach at NJCAA Division II, Mercyhurst North East.  During Chester’s tenure, the Saints instantly became a force in the Western New York Athletic Conference (WYNAC). The Saints finished the 2007 season with 25 wins, seven All-Region 3 performers, and one NJCAA Academic All-American.

During his four-year playing career at Thiel College, Chester led the Tomcats to the school’s first Presidents Athletic Conference Championship (PAC) since 1981. In 2003, Chester garnered Third Team ABCA Mid-East Region All-American Honors, second consecutive First Team All-PAC recognition, and a spot on PAC’s Academic Honor Roll.

Chester earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Thiel College in 2003 and received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Seton Hill University in 2005.

Chester is a seven-year member of the American Baseball Coaches Association, and currently serves as an associate scout for the Philadelphia Phillies.

 Head Coaching Experience