biography

Lou Bernardi is a coach, philanthropist, educator, mentor and community leader. 

Most recently Lou completed his 5th season at the United States Merchant Marine Academy as their pitching coach and recruiting coordinator and his 12th total season coaching in college baseball. In addition to his responsibilities on the field he is also the faculty advisor for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and a lead instructor in the physical education department.

During his tenure at the Academy Lou has mentored several pitchers that have achieved All Conference, All Region and All American status, including two pitchers that furthered their careers signing professional contracts. In 2021 the Mariners won the Skyline Conference title for the first time in program history earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional tournament. That same year Lou was named the Collegiate Baseball Magazine national pitching coach of the year.  

Prior to USMMA, Lou’s journey through college baseball has brought him to Iona College, LIU Post, SUNY Old Westbury and NY Tech. Some of his achievements along the way were coaching staff of the year in 2012 at NY Tech, coaching staff of the year at SUNY Old Westbury in 2014, Skyline Conference Championship at Old Westbury in 2015 and coaching staff of the year at Iona College in 2016.  

Lou has also coached some of the nations best players during the summer months as a head coach for the NY Atlantics of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, the Westhampton Aviators of the Hampton Collegiate Baseball League and the Thunder Bay Boardercats of the prestigious Northwoods League. To date, over 60 of Lou’s former players have went on to sign professional contracts including 4 that have made the Major League Level. 
 
As a player Lou was a 4 year varsity member and 2 year captain of the Herricks High School baseball team earning All State, All County and both League and Team MVP’s his junior and senior years. He was named the male athlete of the year in 2006 and is a member of the Herricks High School Hall Of Fame. He also represented team Long Island in the Empire State games helping his team earn a Bronze Medal. 
 
His career continued signing a NCAA baseball scholarship for play for Division 1 NY Tech. After a successful career on the mound for the Bears tailing over 160 innings pitched in over 60 appearances Lou signed a professional contract to pitch for the St George Roadrunners of the Golden League. 
 
An active member of both of the Association of Professional Ball Players of America and the American Baseball Coaches Association Lou has been asked to speak on various Baseball topics including pitching and recruiting. He has been a guest instructor and coach at some of the Nations most well respected baseball camps and teams over the years and served as an evaluator for the National Team Identification Series of Team USA for Long Island. 
 
As impressive as his accomplishments on the field are, Lou takes enormous pride for his contributions off the field as a philanthropist and community leader. He is the past Baseball committee chairman and member of the board of directors for the MLB Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation. A group that connects military members and their family to the game of baseball. He is also an Advisor to the Italian American Baseball Foundation focusing on youth development, heritage and culture. 
 
He has teamed up over the years with various organizations and municipalities to promote the game of baseball in inner city communities and has provided thousands of pieces of equipment to the underprivileged youth ensuring everyone has the opportunity to play the great game of baseball. 

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For his involvement bringing others together and his overall good will in the community Lou was named an honorary member of the National Society of Leadership and Success in 2021, a hometown Hero by News 12, a top Faces to Watch by Newsday and at the United States Merchant Marine he was awarded the Power of Inspiration award for his sacrifices during the Pandemic and in 2022 he was the recipient of the Mark J Paradiso Service Appreciation Award. 

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He was also named the Axcess Baseball 2021 service to community man of the year and the Chapters Community recipient of the Community Leadership Award. 
He has been honored with numerous Citations, Certificates of Appreciation, letters of Accommodation and Proclamations for his selfless acts of kindliness from US Congress, NY State Assembly, Nassau County Legislature, City of Glen Cove, Town of Huntington, Nassau County Police, NYPD, Glen Cove Police and the Town of North Hempstead. 
He works tirelessly assisting numerous charities throughout the year organizing food, clothing and toy drives. He was recently honored at the Gary Brown Dream Foundation gala as an award recipient for his contributions assisting communities and providing positive opportunities for our youth.  

For his complete body of work, Lou most recently was named to the class of 2023 for the NY State Baseball Hall of Fame. He joins an impressive class and joins a list of previous Hall of Fame inductees such as Thurman Munson, Mickey Mantle, Gil Hodges and Tino Martinez just to name a few.  

In 2023 Lou was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for his contributions and honorable volunteer work.

Lou graduated from NY Tech with a degree in Criminal Justice in 2011 and later went on the serve on the Alumni Association Board. He also received the Harold J Hirschfield Memorial Leadership Award for his leadership ability both on and off the field. 
A life long resident of New Hyde Park, Lou currently resides in Glen Cove where he has served on the Board of Directors and a past president for the Village he resides in.