by Eric Belyea
Published writer, podcast host, baseball coach, philanthropist. When it comes to Long Island baseball, Lou Bernardi has done it all.
A former player under the Legendary Bob Hirschfield at NYIT, Bernardi accumulated over 160 innings pitched during his four year career as a member of the Bears. After his collegiate career, Bernardi pitched professionally for the St. George Roadrunners of the Golden League, as well as the New York Federals of the New York State league. Once his professional playing career was over, that is when Bernardi began on a path that would eventually change his life.
Bernardi’s first stop of his coaching career began at his alma mater, NYIT, where he was the third base coach, coaching at the Division-I level. He then went on to become the pitching coach at SUNY Old Westbury, a Division-III school in the Skyline Conference, where he was pitching coach for three seasons.
“It was a grind”, Bernardi said describing his time at Old Westbury. Bernardi continued: “I paid my dues, I did not get paid any money, I was struggling and my family was supporting me and not pressuring me to go get a ‘real job’. During his three seasons at Old Westbury, Bernardi’s staff had two pitchers win the Skyline Conference Pitcher of the Year award. He also had six of his pitchers sign professional contracts, including Tim Ingram (Clarke 2011) who was drafted in the 31st round by the Tampa Bay Rays.
After his three year run at Old Westbury, Bernardi traveled down 25A and spent a season at Division-II LIU Post, where he served as the recruiting coordinator and pitching coach. In his one season as a Pioneer, the team went 23-20. He then worked his way back to the Division-I level, when he joined the Iona Gaels as their pitching coach. While donning the maroon, yellow and white, the Gaels staff led by Bernardi clinched a playoff berth in the 2017 MAAC Championships, which his pitching staff led multiple statistical categories.
During the summer months, Bernardi has coached in the prestigious Northwoods League, as well as both the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League and the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League.
However, his newest coaching endeavor has made an immense difference on Bernardi and his life, “The United States Merchant Marine Academy opened new opportunities for me.”(USMMA) Bernardi said, describing his time as the current Pitching Coach and assistant professor at the academy. Through the academy, Bernardi started a speakers series entitled “The Leadership in Athletics Speaking Series”, a series where Bernardi and the coaching staff bring professionals in to speak to his players for them to learn from the industries’ best.
Although the USMMA has put him in a great position, he has been able to use his platform as assistant professor and pitching coach and turn it into something that is his newest and biggest passion, giving back to his community. “The motto at the Merchant Marine Academy is “Acta Non Verba”, which means” deeds not words”, Bernardi continued “I took the motto, and decided that since I am preaching this to my kids, I must preach it to myself. When it came time to teach it, he decided to put those words into action.
Throughout the baseball community, there are many different ways to give back, both on big and small stages.
Bernardi was able to use his baseball background as well as his strong Italian heritage as a way to get involved with the Italian American Baseball Foundation, where he serves as a member on the Board of Advisors. “Baseball has given me the opportunity to use my platform to give back to people,” said a proud Bernardi. Prior to his involvement with the Italian American Baseball Foundation, Bernardi was a chairman on the Board of Directors for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, an award that is awarded to one recipient on each MLB team for their work in the community while giving back to those who served on the front lines for our country.
However, during the toughest times this generation has ever seen, Bernardi stepped it up a notch. COVID-19 put a damper on the baseball season for Long Island. There was no high school season, and there was a condensed travel ball season. For USMMA, there was no collegiate season either, but that did not stop Bernardi from putting the work in off the field in one of the only ways he knows how, giving back. Frontline workers were required to go above and beyond their already selfless jobs called for during the height of COVID-19, working longer shifts with little to no time off. To show his appreciation, Bernardi and his group of volunteers began dropping off hundreds of meals to hospitals and police stations, giving back to the people who were serving our communities the most. “They are out on the front lines doing everything day to day, and that idea to give back has blossomed into getting involved with any charity and fundraiser we can” said Bernardi, describing the experience.
In his most recent endeavor, Bernardi started a food drive for families in need during the Thanksgiving holiday, giving dozens of families who needed some help during an already tough holiday season some relief. As a thank you for his efforts, Bernardi has been recognized by News 12 in their “Hometown Heros” segment and he has also received numerous citations and letters for his efforts during this difficult time. Looking ahead into the Christmas season, Bernardi has partnered with Valor Sports for a toy drive to give gifts to families in need.
When it comes to baseball, Bernardi is the type of guy who can do it all. Private lessons, pitching coach, recruiting coordinator. You name it, Bernardi probably did it. However outside the lines, the New Hyde Park native has a bigger vision, “it’s all about giving back and helping others.”
