The North Shore Navigators didn’t have to look far to find their new manager for the 2026 season.
One of the rising assistant coaches in New England college baseball circles, who just happened to be on the Navs’ bench last summer, was a perfect fit for the job.
Jack Hawke, who spent last summer as the hitting and first base coach, was announced as the ninth manager in franchise history on Wednesday. He takes over for Bob Macaluso, who managed the Navs for six seasons and is the team’s all-time leader in wins with 104.
“What an exciting opportunity to serve as the next field manager of the Navigators,” Hawke said. “I am thrilled and humbled to build on the solid foundation set by DJ (president Derek January), Coach Mac, and the entire organization.”
Recently hired as an assistant coach at Holy Cross, Hawke spent the three seasons before that at MIT, where he was a part of the 2025 NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year. He also coached locally at Harvard University in 2022 as well as enjoying stops at Vassar (2021), Post (2020) and at his alma mater Bard College, where he was a four-year starting outfielder.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jack back to serve as our new manager,” January said. “We’re confident he will excel in this role and bring a fresh perspective and a fun, exciting brand of baseball to the organization. His experience coaching at various levels of college baseball while working under some of the most successful head coaches in the country should translate to success on the field.”
As members of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, the Navigators attract college baseball players from all over the country to hone their skills playing in a competitive environment. The Navs have been among the leaders in use of advanced technology and analytics to help their players develop and head back to their teams with new information as well as new skills.
“Holistic development of the players, staff, and everyone involved with the Navs will be my top priority,” said Hawke.
A native of New Jersey, Hawke has expertise in developing hitters as well as baserunners and outfielders. The Navs will begin the 2026 NECBL season next June, which will be their 19th since the franchise moved to the North Shore in 2008. Since returning to the NECBL from the Futures League in 2020, the Navs have qualified for the playoffs once (making the finals in 2021) and their last championship came in 2010.