Varsity Coach Jeff Rago

Coach Jeff Rago comes to the Barlow baseball program from Trumbull High School, where he was a part of its coaching staff. He works at Hillcrest Middle School in Trumbull as a guidance counselor. Prior to his coaching tenure in Trumbull, he was a coach and counselor at Greenwich High School. Coach Rago coached at all three levels (freshman, junior varsity and varsity) at both schools.

This will be Coach Rago's first varsity head coaching job, and he is very excited about this opportunity. He brings with him experience, enthusiasm and knowledge of the “great game of baseball.” Rago has big plans for Barlow Baseball and vows to bring it back to its glory. He describes the program he will run as one that Joel Barlow students will be proud of and one that parents will want their kids to be a part of. His coaching philosophy focuses on the fundamentals of the game with an emphasis on attention to detail and playing the game right. His coaching style stresses respect, togetherness and sacrifice.

Coach played his college ball at Queens College in New York and is still active as a player as a member of the Monroe Top Hats in the Men's Senior Baseball League. Like the rest of the Barlow coaching staff, Coach Rago is an avid Mets fan. When he is not on the ball field, you can bet Rago is busy with his family. He is married to his college sweetheart Kim, and they have three children.

Assistant Varsity Coach Eric August

Coach Eric August came to Barlow in 2005 after a brief career in the legal field. His on-field coaching duties include infield, hitting and coaching first base.

Coach August played baseball at the University of New Haven under legendary coach Frank “Porky” Viera and was a member of the 1995 team that reached the Division II College World Series. Coach August is a current member of the Connecticut Storm in the Bridgeport Senior City Baseball League and has helped lead the team to back-to-back AABC State Championships in 2005 and 2006. August has a lifetime record of 22-5 on the mound in Senior City with an ERA of 1.21. August earned Pitcher of the Year honors in 2005 after posting an 8-1 record with a 0.79 ERA. In 2000, August was selected as the Most Valuable Player in the Boston Men's Baseball League, New England's largest adult baseball league, after he batted .493 with 3 home runs and 36 RBIs in 22 games. August was also 5–1 on the mound with a 2.72 ERA.

Coach August received his B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven in 1997 and his Juris Doctorate from the New England School of Law in Boston in 2002. Currently, Coach August teaches U.S. and World History at Joel Barlow High School.

Coach August was married in September of 2006 and he balances his time between spending quality time with his lovely wife Michele, obsessing over the New York Mets, and arguing about sports with his friends.

Junior Varsity Coach Adam Marks