One of the College’s most successful coaches spanning every sports program, former student-athlete Tony Petosa has built an impressive resume during his over 25-year tenure as head coach of the CSI Dolphins. In addition to being the winningest coach in CSI history with well over 400 victories, Petosa has seen his teams win five CUNYAC Championships, receive six NCAA Tournament bids and 10 ECAC tournament bids. He has led the Dolphins to 25 consecutive CUNYAC postseasons, and his 14 consecutive seasons from 1994-08 with a .500 or better overall record is the best mark among all conference schools. In 2014, he was inducted into the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame.
Prior to becoming one of the most successful coaches in CSI history, Petosa played a big role as a Dolphin athlete and alumnus. He joined the CSI basketball squad in 1982 and throughout his four-year career, the Dolphins posted a 91-25 record, won three CUNYAC Championships, and made a combined four appearances in the NCAA and ECAC post-season tournaments. When Petosa’s career was completed in 1986, he was CSI’s all-time leading rebounder and scorer with 1,684 points, a record that stood for 16 years. He still stands today as CSI’s all-time leading rebounder, with 982 career caroms.
Coach Petosa not only preaches discipline and patience on the court, but he also encourages his players to prosper academically. He believes it is important for student-athletes to be able to graduate CSI as good athletes but even better students.
