By Jake Slater

Those who play baseball at Collegiate know the name Coach Domalik, better known as J.T. Domalik has been a part of the Collegiate community now for four years, since he began as an assistant coach on the varsity baseball team in 2022. From the moment Domalik first stepped foot on Sam Newell Field, his happiness and team-first attitude really influenced the team. That year the team would go on to win the Prep League title and make it to the state tournament at Shepard Stadium, and Domalik was a big part of team’s success. 

Photo courtesy of J.T. Domalik.

Domalik was able to get a job as a Collegiate baseball coach because of his experience coaching at Rockit Sports, where he coached my younger brother Sam (‘28). Domalik also already had a connection to the Collegiate community through his mother Laura, who has worked here for many years as a Lower School teacher. Initially, Domalik attended Virginia Commonwealth University to study business, but in his second semester he switched to Physical Education. Domalik also planned to be a manager for their mens basketball team, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to do so and began looking for other opportunities to make use of his time. Domalik loved playing sports growing up, playing basketball for four years and baseball for two at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland. He began coaching travel baseball at Rockit and quickly realized how much he enjoyed working with kids, especially teaching and coaching.

In 2022, after Domalik’s first season with the varsity baseball team, he was given the opportunity to be the head coach of the JV baseball team. Domalik was more than happy to take on this important role while still maintaining a strong connection and involvement with the varsity squad. Domalik was also asked by head varsity baseball coach (and my father) Andrew Slater (‘96), to help him coach Cub basketball in the winter. Without hesitation, Domalik accepted this responsibility and again was able to continue being involved in one of the many sports he played growing up. 

Additionally, this past year, Domalik was asked to be an assistant coach for the 7th Grade Cub football team, which he accepted and was excited to start, but for a different reason. Domalik never played football growing up, and his only real knowledge of the game came through the video game Madden and watching the great game on TV. Domalik loved watching the kids grow throughout the season, both physically and mentally. He expressed how in the first couple of weeks it was very intimidating for many of the kids, because for many of them, it is their first time playing organized tackle football. However, over the year each kid was able to grow into a more confident football player. Domalik also loved “learning the in’s and out’s of the game alongside his players.”

This fall, Domalik became a full-time teacher at Collegiate, taking on his role as also Middle School Physical Education teacher. Domalik believes coaching at Collegiate for the past few years really helped him “get his foot in the door” and show the school why he was the best candidate. The most considerable change for Domalik was definitely seeing the kids every day and working with them in a manner that is not focused around a team. Domalik outlined how “no two students are the same,” and it is important to build strong relationships with them so they can trust you, and “when you have to have difficult conversations, whether about effort, focus, or behavior,” those relationships make it easier for both sides. The responsibility of being a teacher is something that Domalik has embraced fully and enjoys a great deal. 

Throughout Domalik’s first year, he has really gotten to know the P.E. teacher staff. Domalik greatly appreciated their kindness and patience when mentoring him, especially as a first year teacher right out of college. The staff has taught him about classroom management and making sure 60 or more kids are all engaged and learning, no matter the skill level. Domalik loves that he is involved in a career built upon sports, but the most rewarding part for him is seeing each kid grow throughout the year. 

Domalik has learned from the P.E. teacher staff in his first year, but has learned from the students as well. Domalik has come to learn that for the students, “it is a pivotal time for development both physically and emotionally,” and he strives to be a role model as well as a teacher. Through this, he has realized patience is one of the many attributes that is vital to being a teacher in general. In a Match profile of Domalik from May 2022, varsity baseball player Coley Alvis (’22) wrote about how even when things aren’t going the way you want them to, whether personally or for the baseball team, Domalik is always there to lift their spirits and encourage the team. This is a perfect description of the kind of person Domalik is and the effect he has on his peers. 

One of the many things I’ve learned about Domalik is how important family and connections are for him, and this really comes across with the teams he coaches. Even though he is not with the varsity baseball team this year, you will often see him dropping by after his own team’s practices and games to come sit in the dugout with the team. Domalik is always there to support us and stay connected to the team.

Featured image courtesy of JT Domalik.