John Raiola joined the Keene State College baseball coaching staff as a graduate student assistant in 2009-10.

In his third season, Raiola, will be involved in many facets of the program, working with the pitching staff and serving as the teams’ first base coach.

“John is another pair of eyes for the coaching staff,” said Keene State head baseball coach Ken Howe.  “He’s very knowledgeable and has stepped right in and been a big help.”

After pitching for head coach Jim Foster at the University of Rhode Island, Raiola began his coaching career at the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico.  Raiola spent the 2009 summer with the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) Champion Newport Gulls, working primarily with outfielders and pitchers. 

Raiola graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2008 with a degree in journalism.  The Newport, R.I. native currently resides in Keene and is pursuing a degree in school counseling at Keene State.