Pascual Santiago begins his first season as part of the new coaching staff assembled by Head Coach Ernest Radcliffe. Santiago, a native of Blue Island, IL, most recently, started as the Pitching Coach then landed the Head Coach position at Prairie State College.
 
In addition, Santiago, has been the Hitting Coach/3rd Base Coach for the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association League.
 
Santiago has experienced a tremendous amount of success in professional baseball, particularly in the Independent Minor Leagues.
 
Santiago managed the Conquistadores de Aguada to the Puerto Rico Independent Baseball League Championship in 2021, for his 3rd Championship title and was named Manager of the Year. He also managed the all-star game with 16 of his Conquistadores players in the league’s all-star game. Santiago also moved 5 players from the Conquistadores to higher leagues.
 
While serving as Hitting Coach with the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League in 2018, Santiago’s hitters swung their way to a circuit-best .277 batting average.
 
Santiago also skippered the Old Orchard Beach Surge in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, taking the Surge to the championship game of the Empire Professional Baseball League and earning the league’s best record at 34-28. His work with the Surge earned him his first Manager of the Year Award and All-Star Manager. Santiago moved five Old Orchard Beach players to higher leagues. 
 
With the Frontier League’s Windy City Thunderbolts from 2008-2010, Santiago worked as the organization’s Bench and Bullpen Coach. In 2008, Windy City claimed the Frontier League Championship title.
 
Santiago has also spent time in professional baseball as the Pitching Coach/1st Base Coach for the Joliet Slammers (Frontier League) and as the Bullpen Coach/1st Base Coach for the Gary Southshore Railcats (American Association), where he won his second Championship title in 2013.
 
Santiago’s experience on the collegiate side is of course extensive as well.
 
As the Associate Head Coach and Hitting Coach at Robert Morris University of Chicago in 2010, Santiago helped guide the Eagles to a 42-19 mark. The team also posted a .333 team batting average.
 
Santiago has also served two stints on the staff of Olive-Harvey College, first as Pitching Coach in 2007 and later as Head Coach in both 2015 and 2016.
 
Santiago additionally spent time on the coaching staffs of Dominican University as Pitching Coach, Lewis University as Head JV Coach, and Moraine Valley Community College as Pitching Coach.
 
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Santiago established his own legacy as an athlete.
 
A 1985 graduate of Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Santiago played both football and baseball for the Cardinals.
 
Following a solid prep career, Santiago went on to play four seasons of semi-professional football in the Midwest Football League as a wide receiver. He won Rookie of the Year honors in 1990 and was selected in the 1994 draft of the now-defunct World Football League.
 
Santiago also works with the younger players teaching lessons at All Aspects Baseball and Softball Academy as well as with the Northwest Indiana Shockers Recently, he was the recruiting coordinator and teaching lessons at Prestige Baseball Academy
 
He is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association and also a member of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
 
A retired union carpenter, Santiago resides in Crete, IL. with his wife.