Michael Policastro Retires as Head Coach at Cleveland State

After 38 years, Cleveland State Community College head baseball coach Michael Policastro is calling it a career.

"It's hard to believe that it has been that long," Policastro said. "I felt like the time was right to step away as head coach."

Policastro led Cleveland State to the NJCAA Region 7 championship game this past season finishing runner-up. Earlier this year, he received the American Baseball Coaches Association lifetime achievement award and last year, he was inducted into the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Cleveland State went 913-633 in his 31 years as their head coach. In 1995, Policastro was named the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Coach of the Year when he led the Cougars to a TCCAA Eastern Division Championship. CSCC finished as Region 7 runners-up three times under his helm, including this past season,1995 and 2005.

Policastro's coaching career began in 1985 as an assistant baseball coach at Tennessee Wesleyan University where he played his final two years of collegiate baseball. He was named head baseball coach at TWU the following season in 1986.

He led the Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships in 1992 and 1993 and was named the TVAC coach of the year in '93. He finished with a record of 144-116 with the school and was inducted into the Tennessee Wesleyan Hall of Fame in 2003.

Cleveland State head coach Longley retired in 1993 prompting athletic director Jim Cigliano to contact Policastro about the opening.

"It was a no-brainer for me at the time," Policastro said. "We always lived in Cleveland, and it was going to be a great situation working for Mr. Cigliano who had a great reputation as an advocate for athletics."

Policastro was named Director of Athletics at Cleveland State in 1996, and he will remain in that position after the transition.

During Policastro's time at Cleveland State, more than 300 players have gone on to four-year schools with 32 playing professionally. Academically, over 250 players received TCCAA Academic Honors with 75 receiving National Junior College Athletic Association Academic Honors.

"We have been fortunate to have a good relationship with baseball programs around the country that recruit our players," Policastro said. "No matter where players go after Cleveland State we want them to have success and continue to grow as a person. We feel we put them on the path for a successful future in whatever they do, and always enjoy when we are able to stay in contact with them."

"I have been fortunate enough to have a coaching career at Cleveland State. I have enjoyed my time coaching at the two-year level. You get a great chance to affect the lives of the players that are in the program, see them grow and move on to the next level."

"I was able to work for two great Vice Presidents –Jim Cigliano and Dr. Michael Stokes. Both have supported me and our athletic program, in wanting to see the student athletes' succeed."

"I wanted to thank my family, my wife, Ealine, and children Chris, Michelle and Kyle for allowing me to have this coaching career. It took me away at times and missed some events as the kids participated in athletics. Their support allowed me to follow my passion. I also wanted to thank our assistant coaches whose efforts supported me and contributed to our program. Steve Longley, Jason Sewell, Aaron Bryant, Andy Lockhart, Ryan Foster, Joe Purus and Grant Zawadzki. Without their hard work, dedication and friendship, it would not have been as fun or successful."

Assistant coach Aaron Bryant will take over as the head baseball coach at Cleveland State. He has coached alongside Policastro for the past 21 years. Grant Zawadzki will also remain as the recruiting coordinator and infield and hitting coach.

"I know the program will be in good hands with Aaron and Grant and look forward to supporting them and watching the team." Policastro said.

Policastro retires with a career record of 1,057-749.

Edwin Bear
Cleveland State Community College
Sports Information/Media Relations