For Tom Passinault, coaching is more than a job, it’s a mission.
Growing up in a lively household with five brothers, Tom experienced laughter, chaos and competition, but faith was always his family’s anchor. His parents instilled the importance of Catholic education and wove prayer, daily Mass and devotion to the Eucharist into family life.
That same devotion shaped Tom’s own family. He and his wife, Teresa, raised their three children—Noah, Danny and Gwyneth—teaching them that their talents are gifts to be used for God’s glory and that success means little without humility.
From these roots, Tom learned that faith is the foundation for how you live, love and lead. That conviction now shapes his work as head baseball coach at St. Francis High School in Traverse City.\
A Record of Excellence
After graduating from Notre Dame in 1986, Tom began teaching and coaching at Grand Rapids Catholic Central, where his football teams posted an impressive 99-39-1 record and reached the State Championship Game in 2005.
In 2012, he took the helm of St. Francis baseball, guiding his teams to remarkable success—including the 2025 Division 3 State Championship, earned with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Marine City.
For his lifelong dedication to student athletes and faith-filled leadership, Tom will be inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in June 2026.
Coaching as Ministry
But for Tom, the real victory isn’t on the scoreboard.
“Coaching is a ministry,” he says. “It’s about forming young men who live with integrity, courage and love for Christ. Wins are wonderful but helping a player grow in his faith—that’s the real success.”
Senior third-baseman Braxton Lesinski shares: “Coach ‘Pass’ reminds you to be humble in your success, be willing to learn from failure and still have a positive outlook.”
Faith on the Field
Faith permeates every aspect of his program. Players pray before games, serve the needy at team missions and visit sacred places when playing out of town. Even the outfield fence bears “3:16,” a reminder from 1 John that talent is a gift to be shared, not a source of pride.
Father Michael Lingaur, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, sums it up: “Baseball is the ‘what’ they do, but faith is the ‘why’—the mission and driving purpose of their team.”
Through prayer, service and daily witness, Tom Passinault does more than coach baseball—he forms disciples. His players leave the field not only as stronger athletes but as stronger Catholics, ready to bring their faith into every play of their lives.
