The Catholic educational background of Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni is drawing renewed attention as the organization faces scrutiny over allegations involving pitcher Trevor Williams and his religious beliefs.
CatholicVote sent a letter this week to the U.S. Department of Justice requesting an investigation into possible religious discrimination involving Williams, citing reported comments from a Nationals official allegedly discussing Williams as “very Catholic” and saying, “Because of that, we don’t use him on social.”
Toboni, who became the Nationals’ president of baseball operations in 2025, graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, one of the nation’s best-known Jesuit Catholic high schools.
After attending St. Ignatius, Toboni played baseball at the University of California, Berkeley, before later earning an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, a Catholic university in Indiana known for its religious and academic traditions.
Toboni is currently the youngest president of baseball operations in Major League Baseball. Before joining the Nationals, he worked in the front offices of the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox.
Williams, a member of the Knights of Columbus, has publicly discussed his Catholic faith for years.
“Along with the red Nationals logo, he wears his faith on his sleeve, specifically the tattoo sleeves that cover his arms,” reported the Arlington Catholic Herald in May 2023. “Each tells the story of his devotion to a different saint — St. Michael, St. Joseph and St. Benedict of Nursia, to name a few.”
St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Toboni’s alma mater, has produced a number of notable graduates in business, sports, politics and entertainment.
Former Intel CEO Paul Otellini graduated from St. Ignatius before leading one of Silicon Valley’s most influential technology companies.
Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts attended St. Ignatius before starring for the San Diego Chargers and becoming one of the NFL’s most prolific passers of his era.
Actor and musician Darren Criss, known for “Glee” and Broadway productions, graduated from the school in 2005.
Molly McGrath, now a broadcaster for ESPN, is also a graduate of the Jesuit institution.
Former San Francisco mayor Mark Farrell attended St. Ignatius before entering finance and politics.
Comedian and actor Al Madrigal, known for his work on “The Daily Show,” is another notable alumnus.
Electronic music producer Illenium, born Nicholas Miller, also attended St. Ignatius before launching his music career.
Toboni’s family also includes public figures in media and entertainment. His sister, actress Jacqueline Toboni, is known for television roles including “Grimm,” while his sister Gianna Toboni became a television journalist and correspondent.
Neither Toboni nor the Nationals organization publicly addressed the allegations involving Williams as of Thursday afternoon.
