Tommy Cardona joined the New York University baseball team coaching staff prior to the 2016-17 season. His responsibilities include working with the outfielders as well as helping with all aspects of the offensive and defensive game plans.
In 2023, the Violets posted a winning record for the sixth consecutive season. The team ended the campaign on a five-game winning streak, finished with a 17-16 record and set the program record for most home runs (23) and fewest errors (46) while recording the second-highest batting average (.312).
Several players were honored for their outstanding achievements. The trio of Richard Beggy, Cam Dunn and John Gassler all received First Team All-UAA (University Athletic Association) accolades. Gassler also was cited as a D3baseball.com Fifth Team All-American and First Team All-Region 4, while Dunn was a Third Team selection. The ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association) recognized Gassler as First Team All-Region 4 and Alex VanLandingham as All-Defensive Team – Region 4 (outfield).
The 2022 squad went 19-13, winning its first 12 games of the season and 14 of the first 15. The seven UAA victories (7-9), were the second-most in NYU history.
Individually, Grant Berman was selected First Team All-UAA, ABCA/Rawlings All-Region 4 Third Team and All-ECAC Honorable Mention. Jacob Singer was a First Team All-UAA honoree, while Dunn, Gassler and Connor Roggero were all Second Team choices. Roggero also made ABCA/Rawlings All-Region 4 Third Team.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, NYU did not compete at all in 2021 and only played five games in 2020. That squad went 4-1, with several players receiving accolades for their performances. Berman and Coltrane Tait earned UAA Player of the Week honors, while both received All-UAA honors along with Gabe Golob, Ford Ladd and Michael Santorum.
The Violets posted a 26-13 record in 2019, including a best-ever 8-8 mark in UAA play. The campaign included a six-game winning streak from April 13-21, with five of the victories coming against UAA opponents Washington University in St. Louis and Brandeis University. Under Cardona’s tutelage, centerfielder Jack Walter earned Second Team honors from both the ABCA and D3baseball.com, and was named First Team All-UAA and Second Team All-ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference).
The Violets finished the 2018 season with a program-record 28 wins (28-12) and a 6-10 record in the UAA. The team went undefeated over its spring trip (7-0) and posted winning records both at home (13-7) and away (8-5). One of Cardona’s outfielders, Tait, earned First Team All-UAA honors.
NYU finished with 23 wins (23-13) and a 4-8 mark in the UAA during Cardona’s inaugural season in 2017. The Violets won six of their last seven games and posted a 17-6 record at their home field, MCU Park in Coney Island. Walter earned First Team All-UAA honors. And, for the second consecutive season, a NYU player was signed by a Major League organization. Outfielder Adrian Spitz was signed by the Oakland Athletics, while the Washington Nationals drafted and signed catcher CJ Picerni following the 2016 season.
Cardona joined NYU after accumulating coaching experience with the Frozen Ropes Syosset Baseball & Softball Training Facility. He spent his two years (2013-15) there coaching players of all ages. In addition, Cardona also coached at the New York Baseball Academy during the 2013 summer.
A 2013 graduate of New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Management, Cardona was a four-year member of the Bears' baseball team. A three-time Great West Conference Pitcher of the Week and an Academic All-Conference Award recipient, Cardona also served as a team captain.
Cardona also currently works as Account Executive and Director of Special Events for the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New York Mets Class-A Affiliate. Both the Cyclones and the Violets play their home games at MCU Park. He is also the director and lead instructor of both the Kids and Men's Baseball Camps at MCU Park. During the Cyclones off-season he has dedicated his time to working with youth, high school and college baseball players to improve the baseball fundamentals needed to be successful.
Cardona is native and resident of the Bronx, NY.
