professional 

ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE SOCIETY

Lou Bernardi is a proven and dedicated community leader, philanthropist, mentor, and coach. With over a decade of NCAA experience mentoring top-level athletes Lou has achieved much success on the diamond. From being part of numerous championship programs to being named the 2021 “Collegiate Baseball Newspaper” National Pitching Coach of the Year, his ability to make others around him better is one of his most impressive attributes.

His competitiveness and desire to succeed derive from his playing career at the NCAA Division 1 level and independent professional ranks. He stays committed to the game by serving as an active member of the Association of Professional Ball Players of America, The American Baseball Coaches Association, an Advisor to the Italian American Baseball Foundation, and Director of Valor Sports. He is a member of his High School (Herricks) Athletic Hall of Fame and the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame.

As impressive as his accomplishments on the field are, Lou takes enormous pride in his contributions off the field as a philanthropist and community leader. Lou has been named an honorary member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, a Hometown Hero by News 12, and a top Faces to Watch by Newsday for his involvement in bringing others together and his overall dedication to community engagement. Additionally, at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, he was awarded the Power of Inspiration award for his sacrifices during the Pandemic, and in 2022, he received the Mark J Paradiso Service to Community Appreciation Award. Axcess Baseball, a leading authority in amateur sports on Long Island, named Lou the 2021 Service to community Man of the Year, and the Chapters Community Foundation awarded Lou a 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 U.S. Congress, NY State Assembly, Nassau County Legislature, Town of North Hempstead, City of Glen Cove, Town of Huntington, Nassau County Police, NYPD, and the Glen Cove Police Department.

He works tirelessly assisting numerous charities yearly, organizing food, clothing, and toy drives. He was recently honored at the Gary Brown Dream Foundation gala as an award recipient for his contributions to assisting communities and creating experiences to encourage positive youth growth.

He received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award directly from the Oval Office and a Distinguished Humanitarian Award, A Leadership Award, and an Integrity Award from three different United Nations-sanctioned organizations. Lou graduated from NY Tech with a degree in Criminal Justice in 2011 and later served on the Alumni Association Board. A lifelong resident of New Hyde Park, Lou currently resides in Glen Cove, where he has served on the Board of Directors and is a past president of the Village he resides in.