For a high school baseball team, the addition of a new coaching staff marks a new beginning. This past fall, as reported in the October 2024 issue of the Spectator, Todd Dunfield was named the new head varsity baseball coach at Berkley High School. Prior to the start of the spring baseball season, Dunfield filled out his coaching staff, hiring John Fedele and Dave Luptak to serve as his assistant coaches.
Fedele and Luptak bring a wealth of experience, and Coach Dunfield could not be more excited about the additions to his staff.
Fedele played club baseball at the University of Florida. After finishing his baseball playing career, he coached high school varsity baseball at Oak Hall School in Gainesville, Florida, along with an 18U developmental travel baseball team. He plans to work with the whole team, especially with the hitter and infielders and has primarily played second base during his career.
“Over the years of playing competitive and collegiate baseball, I’ve learned a lot. There is nothing better than sharing those lessons with players and serving as a mentor,” said Coach Fedele. “I enjoy working with all positions and providing hitting instruction. There are so many components to the game. Wherever I can be helpful and share my knowledge is what I’m here to do as an assistant.”
Fedele recently worked for the City of Royal Oak as the Director of Recreation and has a Masters degree in Sports Analytics and Management. In addition to coaching, he is a Certified Personal Trainer and currently works as a Sports Business Consultant. He was drawn to joining the Bears Baseball staff in part due to the team’s recent success, including a District Championship in 2023. “The high standards set by BHS to be successful on and off the field made me interested in coaching baseball at BHS,” said Coach Fedele. “This team is full of passion, talent, and camaraderie. With these traits, the team can accomplish a lot and be successful.”
Coach Luptak played high school baseball for Kimball High School in Royal Oak, finishing sixth in the state and beating Brother Rice in the district championship. He started coaching as soon as he stopped playing, “I couldn’t imagine not being on the field each spring, I love the game,” said Coach Luptak. He started coaching with 14, 15, and 16-year-olds and also coaches at Shrine Jr. High. Along with coaching his sons in Little League, he more recently coached baseball for Royal Oak for three years and coached the Norup/Anderson combined middle school team last year.
Coach Luptak has a love for the game of baseball, where it is shown on and off the field with his passion to help his players be the best that they can. “I’m most excited to watch my players compete this year,” said coach Luptak. “They have lion hearts and leave it all on the field. I’m excited to show other cities the brand of baseball we play in Berkley!”
“My favorite thing about coaching is the players and the relationships that are formed with them. I love getting to know them and learning what makes them tick,” said Coach Luptak. “I want to encourage them and reinforce what they are good at while looking weaknesses in the eye and working to get better. I encourage you, baseball is a hard game and you need to be mentally tough!”
Coach Luptak’s responsibilities as an assistant coach are to assist Coach Dunfield. “Whatever he needs to help the program improve, I am here for,” said Coach Luptak. “He’s (Coach Dunfield) coached varsity baseball for 19 years, so I’m learning from him as well and getting better as a coach.”
Coach Luptak is currently working as a medical sales rep, where he has been doing it for eight years now. “It allows me to be flexible to do what I love most, coaching baseball!” said Coach Luptak. He was drawn to joining the Bears Baseball staff in part due to the culture that has been built in Berkley, “I became interested in the Berkley varsity assistant job because I’m excited about the baseball culture that has been built in Berkley,” said Coach Luptak. “The Berkley Dads Club has invested a lot into this community in regard to baseball, and the fruits are now appearing at the varsity level. It’s an exciting time for Berkley baseball.”
The new coaching staff has made a great impression on the varsity team, which opens the season with a three-game series against Troy High School.
“The new coaches have really made an effort to get to know the team,” said sophomore catcher Sam Sermo. “They spent a long time during tryouts evaluating the players and made a point to meet with each player one-on-one to discuss strengths and roles for the season. We all really appreciate that type of communication and can’t wait to get the season started.”
For Coach Dunfield and the Bears baseball program, this is the best time of year, and they can’t wait to get started with Coach Fedele and Coach Luptak in the dugout and on the field.
