Former All-Star Takes The Mound As Pitching Coach

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Former All-Star Takes The Mound As Pitching Coach

Written by Vinny Messana, nassauillustrated@antonnews.com Friday, 04 January 2013 00:00

Lou Bernardi Brings

Playing Expertise to Old Westbury

The SUNY Old Westbury Panthers had a fantastic 2012 season on the baseball diamond—finishing with a record of 30-12—but will be receiving a significant boost by adding Lou Bernardi to the coaching staff as the pitching coach.

“The team had a great deal of success last season, but we’re looking to build on that,” said Bernardi. “I’m looking to instill a good work ethic, and I feel I can help that beginning with their off-season throwing program.”

New SUNY Old Westbury pitching coach Lou Bernardi The New Hyde Park native has had extensive success on the mound. He finished his collegiate career at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) in 2010 as the program’s leader in appearances (67), and led the team in saves in 2008 with three.

He went on to play professional ball with the New York Federals of the New York State League, prior to playing with the St. George Roadrunners of the Golden League.

His first coaching job was with his alma mater as an assistant coach for the 2012 season.

Regarding his time as a member of the coaching staff, Bernardi said “It was a great way to give back to the program that did much for me as player. It was pretty beneficial being involved with the program I am familiar with, knowing the system and coaching the upper classmen who I played with.”

Prior to his time at NYIT, Bernardi had one of the most successful careers any athlete has had in the history of Herricks High School. In addition to his leadership role of captain as a junior and senior, he was named the League MVP as well as a member of the All-State team. For his accomplishments, he was inducted into the Herricks High School Hall of Fame.

This summer Bernardi also gained a considerable amount of experience as a head coach with the New York Atlantics of the ACBL. His team won the championship of the Kaiser division.

Bernardi possesses strong character, as evidenced by being the recipient of the Harold J. Hirschfield Memorial Leadership Award in 2010 with NYIT. The accolade is given to the player who displays strong leadership qualities.

His guidance of the pitching staff will be crucial if the Panthers hope to unseat Farmingdale State Rams as the five-time defending champions of the Skyline Conference. The season ended in disappointing fashion as the Rams overcame a 6-run deficit in the ninth inning of the Conference finals.

That is in the past, however, and Bernardi is confident the Panthers can give them a run for their money.

“We’re going to compete. We will play Old Westbury baseball; good pitching, timely hitting and base running,” said Bernardi.

The team was led by its formidable offense, which ranked No. 1 in the nation in batting average (.362), runs per game (9.9) and stolen bases per game (5.79).

The pitching staff struggled to a 5.00 ERA, but the addition of Bernardi and his experience will provide substantial aid.

“I haven’t been a part of this conference but having coached Division-I helped me take on a role with bigger responsibility.”

News

Hicksville Native Wins FIT Award

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Hicksville native Jae Lee recently rose to the top of his senior class at New York Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), winning the Critic Award for sportswear. But fashion wasn’t the path that Lee originally chose.

In high school, Lee excelled in art classes and thought that he wanted to go to college and major in fine arts. However, he said, it was while watching an episode of “Project Runway” that he had a revelation. “All of a sudden I was thinking that it was something I could/should do and that’s what kind of led to it,” he said. He made up his mind that he was going to apply to fashion school and enlisted the help of one of his art teachers in school to help him. “We really scrambled and put together this presentation in about two weeks, where other people, I’m sure, worked on theirs for months,” he said. Lee said that when he went to present his portfolio, he didn’t think the meeting went well at all. “Everyone was really well prepared,” he said. But, he admitted, it must have gone better than he thought, because he was accepted to FIT.

WWII Armor Museum Opens

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

In the face of cancelled air shows and the downgrading of NYC’s Fleet Week, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced on May 9, that American soldiers will be forever honored on Long Island through the creation of the Museum of American Armor to be built at Old Bethpage Village Restoration thanks, in part, to a million dollar gift from Lawrence Kadish.

“We are watching powerful tributes to our American military reduced or eliminated across the nation and its just plain wrong,” stated County Executive Mangano. “Fortunately, the Memorial Day weekend air show at Jones Beach will be held regardless of the loss of the Thunderbirds, but Fleet Week in New York City will be greatly diminished and across the country air shows are being cancelled weekly. Nassau County is moving in another direction. An armor museum that honors every American soldier will be created on county property this year which will not only pay tribute to those who have defended our nation but will also strengthen the county’s tourism and destination industry and provide a new source of revenue.”

Sports

For The Love Of Tennis

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Hicksville residents honored by tennis association

The U.S. Tennis Association Long Island Region has recognized several Hicksville residents for their tennis playing or volunteering achievements. The group was honored at the USTA Long Island Region’s 23rd Annual Awards Dinner, which recognizes superior efforts both on and off the tennis court.

Terry Fontana received the Vitas Gerulaitis for the Love of Tennis award. She has been a longtime fixture in the Hicksville tennis community and is the driving force behind the Hicksville Community Tennis Association (CTA), which, since 1995, has been promoting the development of tennis as a means of healthy recreation and physical fitness and to create a community resource for physical activity throughout the area.

Lady Comets Honor Departing Seniors

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

It was a cold season for softball this year, colder than usual. Anyone who knows the sport recognizes that the weather can be changeable, but this softball season was fraught with snow, pouring rain, cancelled games, frigid temperatures, and blowing winds that would cause any team to crave the warmth of indoors.

That wasn’t the case with the Hicksville High School Lady Comets Varsity Softball team. They played through it all like champions, and endured the rough weather like superstars.