Hall of Fame
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Few individuals have contributed more to the history of CSI Athletics than Tony Petosa. A four-year student-athlete and Head Coach of 27 years for the Men’s Basketball program, Petosa has set a standard of excellence that exemplifies what it means to be a Hall of Famer in more ways than one.
During his playing career, Petosa was a four-time CUNYAC All-Star and was a part of three CUNYAC Championship teams. His numbers steadily increased each season as well, culminating with a senior season in which he averaged 21.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. That year, he earned CUNYAC Player of the Year and CUNYAC Tournament MVP honors as he helped lead the Dolphins to the conference title.
Petosa still holds the program record for career rebounds with 983 and is among the program leaders in career points with 1,635. His 665 points scored during the 1985-1986 season remains among the highest in a single season in the history of the Men’s Basketball program. He also finished two separate seasons with a rebounding total that ranks in the top ten in program history.
Just four years after his playing career concluded, Petosa took over as Men’s Basketball Head Coach in the 1989-1990 season. From here, he would go on to become the winningest coach in the history of the College of Staten Island and the City University of New York Athletic Conference. Beginning in the 1994-1995 season through the 2007-2008 season, the Dolphins posted a winning record for thirteen consecutive years under his leadership. In 27 as Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Petosa would win 459 games and six CUNYAC Championships.
Just as important as any playing or coaching accolades was Petosa’s role in establishing CSI’s annual Tournament of Heroes. The event, which honors three former Dolphins who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, Terrance Aiken, Scott Davidson, and Tom Hannafin, has been a staple on the Men’s Basketball schedule since its inception in 2002. Petosa was also inducted into the Staten Island Hall of Fame in 2014 adding further to his list of accomplishments away from the court.
A great player, a record-setting coach, and a well-respected man of character, Petosa enters the Hall of Fame as one of the most influential figures in the history of CSI Athletics.
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