Camp staff members include local high school coaches, active college coaches/players, and coaches with previous professional playing experience. The camp staff provides instruction in proper baseball mechanics through effective station drills designed to build skill development. Campers are taught various skills to help them become better baseball players. Proper fundamentals and techniques of hitting, throwing, running, fielding, sliding, bunting, and more are taught by qualified instructors with professional/college/high school coaching experience.

Darren Gurney | Camp Director
Darren Gurney is a college baseball coach, author, and camp director. He has been running the Rising Star Baseball Camp since its inception in 1998. Since receiving his first coaching position in February, 1992, Coach Gurney has coached over twenty players that were selected in the MLB Draft or who have gone on to play professional baseball. Read More >>

Claude Balliet | Field Director I
Coach Claude Balliet attended the Rising Star Baseball Camp in summers 1999-2001.  In 2006 he joined the coaching staff of the New Rochelle HS Varsity Team where he had previously starred as catcher. Read More >>

Anthony Leak | Assistant Coach
Former camper Anthony Leak attended Rising Star Baseball Camp where he was awarded the Tom Koehler Pitcher of the Week Award. Coach Leak pitches at Dominican University where he is the ace pitcher. Read More >>

Tran Hennessy | Assistant Coach
As a pitcher and position player at Lehman College, Coach Hennessy provides instruction from a variety of skill sets on our AAA Field. Read More >>

Anthony Deluke | Field Director II
Anthony Deluke has been the head baseball coach at Albert Leonard Middle School since 2000. His team has dominated middle school baseball during the past few seasons.  Read More >>

Justin Perlman l Assistant Coach
Coach Justin Perlman joined the camp coaching staff in 2015. As a starting pitcher at Pleasantville HS that also attended the camp Read More >>

Herb Nappi l Field Director III
Joining the camp staff in summer 2014, Coach Nappi primarily works with players on the Single A Field.  As the head junior varsity coach at superpower Clarkstown North HS for over a decade, Nappi Read More >>

Matthew Cannella l Assistant Coach
Having attended Rising Star Baseball Camp for so many summers, Coach Matt Cannella began coaching at camp in 2019.  As the starting center fielder at Pelham HS Read More >>

Jack Cinquemani | Assistant Coach
After graduating from New Rochelle HS as a catcher, Coach Cinquemani has been a resource at camp in numerous roles. Read More >>

Anthony Mezzaucella | Assistant Coach
Former camper and New Rochelle HS center fielder Anthony Mezzaucella began coaching at camp in July, 2023. Read More >>

Mike Sgobbo l Field Director IV
Having served as the Head Varsity Baseball Coach coach at New Rochelle HS during 2006-2009 and physical education teacher at Ward Elementary School since 2001, Coach Sgobbo is an ideal leader for Read More >>

Nolan Gurney | Assistant Coach
Former camper Nolan Gurney attended Rising Star Baseball Camp from age four through age 14 starting as a Young Prospect. Read More >>

Declan Bruder | Assistant Coach
Coach Declan Bruder attended Rising Star Baseball Camp as a Young Prospect starting at age four. Read More >>

Scott Teneyck l Camp Trainer
Scott Teneyck began as the Head ATC at Rising Star Baseball Camp during the summer of 2017. His passion for baseball combined with his professional approach Read More >> 

Lamont Wallace | Athletic Development Coach
In summer 2022, Coach Lamont Wallace joined the Rising Star Baseball Camp staff to enhance campers' strength, speed, flexibility, agility and overall athleticism. Coach Wallace's company LJW Fit trains athletes from a variety Read More >>

Alessandra Pappalardi | Camp Administrator
Alessandra Pappalardi began working at Rising Star Baseball Camp in the summer of 2023. Alessandra attends Yale University and diligently takes photographs of campers, handles prize and t-shirt distribution, daily attendance, parent communications, and a variety of other camp responsibilities. Read More >>

Slugger l Camp Mascot
Slugger joined the Rising Star Baseball Camp in 2017. Read More >>

Daniel Dasgupta l Field Director VII
After attending the Rising Star Baseball Camp  for six consecutive summers, Coach Dasgupta was recognized by the Read More >>

Matt LaPadula | Field Director VIII
Coach LaPadula was a camper at Rising Star Baseball Camp during summers 1999-2001. In 2008, Coach LaPadula took an assistant coaching position at New Rochelle HS.  Read More >>

Sean Burke l Field Director IX
During summer 2019, Coach Burke began coaching as an instructor on the AAA Field at Rising Star. In 2021, Coach Burke took over as Double A Field director. Currently, he is the head varsity baseball coach at Port Chester HS. Read More >>

Tristan Holmgren l Strength & Speed Development Coach I
Coach Holmgren joined the coaching staff during the summer of 2017 as a speed and strength.  A star at St. Thomas Aquinas Read More >>

Miro Ronac l Strength & Speed Development Coach ll
Coach Miro Ronac joined the coaching staff in summer 2015 as a speed and strength specialist.  A decathlete at Trinity University Read More >>

Eric Fama | Pitching & Throwing Program Coordinator
Eric Fama was the closer at Rhode Island College for four years.  Upon graduation, he was invited to workouts with the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds Organizations. Read More >>

Thomas Plunkett | Assistant Coach
Former camper Thomas Plunkett attended Rising Star Baseball Camp before having a stellar career at Mamaroneck HS. Coach Plunkett pitches at Scranton University where he Read More >>

Tommy Koehler | Pitching Coach I
After attending the camp as a player, Coach Tom Koehler began coaching at the Rising Star Baseball Camp in 2005.  In 2008, Koehler was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 18th round of the annual MLB Draft.  Tom was Pitcher of the Year in Double A in 2010. Read More >>

Andrew Nassayan l Pitching Coach II
As a former Rising Star camper, Coach Nassayan is a long-time veteran of the camp program.  After completing four years of varsity baseball at the high school level, Coach Nassayan continued his baseball career at nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University. Read More >>   

Andrew Zigmont l Pitching Coach III
With an exceptional academic and athletic career at New Rochelle HS, Coach Zigmont was offered an opportunity to play NCAA baseball at national powerhouse Johns Hopkins University. Read More >>

Andrew Gurgitano l Pitching Coach IV
A gifted, left-handed pitcher, Gurgitano was a standout performer at the Rising Star Baseball Camp before joining the staff in summer 2014. Read More >> 

Josiah Gray l Pitching Coach V
Coach Gray received a scholarship to play at LeMoyne College in 2014 and won the prestigious Cornell Foggie Award as a senior at New Rochelle HS after dominating as a top pitcher in NY State during the spring of 2015. Read More >>

Devin Perlman l Pitching Coach VI
Coach Devin Perlman joined the camp staff in 2015. Perlman pitched and played outfield as a team captain at Jupiter Christian HS in Florida before moving on to Ohio University. Read More >>

Mason Newman l Pitching Coach VII
Mason Newman joined the camp staff in 2017 as a coach on the Single A Field. As a pitcher at New Rochelle HS and Brandeis University, Read More >>

Matt Duran l Hitting Coach I
During the summer of 2009, Matt Duran began coaching at the Rising Star Baseball Camp on the Rookie Field.  In June of 2011, Coach Duran was drafted by the NY Yankees in the 4th Round of the MLB Draft Read More >>

Frank Delgado l Hitting Coach II
Having pitched professionally for the Roswell Invaders, Coach Delgado began instructing players on the Triple A Field at Rising Star Baseball Camp in 2013.  Delgado is the head baseball coach at Yeshiva University. Read More >>

Justin Sherman l Hitting Coach III
After completing a successful junior college baseball career, Justin Sherman continues his NCAA baseball performance at SUNY Purchase.  Read More >>

Louis Miceli l Hitting Coach IV
After an excpetional high school career, Miceli was awarded MVP of Section I baseball in Westchester and Putnam Counties. As a former camper, Miceli was a natural fit as a coach in summer 2014 Read More >>  

Vinny Todino | Infield Coach I
As NCAA head baseball coach at the College of Mount St. Vincent, Coach Todino's knowledge and passion for the game is a valuable resource for our campers to be exposed to. Read More >>   

John Valente l Infield Coach II
As a talented athlete who graduated from New Rochelle HS, John Valente plays NCAA baseball at St. John's University. Coach Valente began coaching on the Single A at Rising Star Read More >>

Jay Ruiz l Infield Coach III
Having served as a valuable utility player at SUNY Purchase College starting in 2011, Coach Ruiz has been coaching a variety of skills and fundamentals to players on the Double A Field since 2012.  Read More >>

Vernon Martin l Infield Coach IV
Previous to attending and playing baseball at Penn State University, Vernon Martin starred at second base for New Rochelle HS.  His dramatic three run home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning versus John Jay HS is among the most exciting moments in New Rochelle Baseball history. Read More >> 

Carmine Giordano l Infield Coach V
After a stellar baseball career at New Rochelle HS, Carmone Giordano will play NCAA baseball at national powerhouse Franklin Pierce U.  In 2015, Giordano joined the Rising Star staff as Read More >>

Anthony Garbarino l Infield Coach VI
As a dedicated baseball player at Iona Prep, Anthony Garbarino moved on to play college baseball at Merrimack College.  In 2017, Garbarino began coaching at Rising Star as Read More >>

Brett Rosen | Catching Coach I
Coach Brett Rosen began coaching at the Rising Star Baseball Camp in 2008. After attrending the camp for six consecutive years and being recognized as a top catcher in the area, Coach Rosen went on to play NCAA Baseball at Read More >>

Kevin Coleman l Catching Coach II As a camper, starting at age 7, Kevin Coleman quickly demonstrated that he possessed a strong baseball pedigree. In summer of 2016, Coach Coleman joined the Rising Star Baseball Camp staff Read More >> 

Kevin McQuade | Catching Coach III
Coach Kevin McQuade began coaching at the Rising Star Baseball Camp in 2017. As a varsity coach at Rye Neck HS, he specializes in catching drills Read More >>

Charlie Glennon l Catching Coach IV
As a long-time camper at Rising Star Baseball Camp, Coach Charlie Glennon came back to coach in the summer of 2018.  As the starting catcher at New Rochelle HS, Glennon went on to be catcher for Denison University Read More >>

Jimmy Brenneman l Outfield Coach I
In summer 2015, Coach Brenneman joined the Rising Star coaching staff.  Having played college baseball at D-1 Campbell U., Brenneman led all NCAA players in HBPs in 2011. Currently, Brenneman is a NCAA coach at Read More >>

Jared Almonte l Outfield Coach II
A tremendous athlete and baseball player, Coach Almonte was a star at Rising Star Baseball Camp before joining the staff in 2013.  As a sophomore, Almonte started on the varsity team at New Rochelle HS Read More >>

Jayson Gray l Outfield Coach III
After completing a successful high school career where he earned All-Section honors, Jayson Gray continues his playing as a scholarship player at Dominican College. Coach Gray, who attended and set several records at the Rising Star Baseball Camp, is known for his blazing speed and power hitting prowess Read More >>

Dan Kelly | Outfield Coach IV
Dan Kelly began coaching at Rising Star Baseball Camp in 1999. As captain and spirited leader of his high school team, Dan moved on to Yale University. Dan returned in 2008 to coach baseball and teach math at Albert Leonard Middle School. Read More >>

Joe Weintraub l Outfield Coach V
As a veteran camper, Joe Weintraub joined the camp staff in 2016. A member of the Scarsdale High School Varsity Baseball Team, Read More >>

Rory Maglich l Outfield Coach VI
Rory Maglich was a veteran camper at Rising Star Baseball Camp before joining the staff in 2016. As a varsity baseball player and swimmer at Bard College Read More >>

Jake Armiento l Outfield Coach VII
After completing a successful high school career where he earned All-Section honors as a senior, Jake Armiento attends Villanova University. Armiento, who attended and set several records at the Rising Star Baseball Camp Read More >>

Temi Bajulaiye | Strength & Speed Development Coach III
Temi Bajulaiye was a standout track athlete at New Rochelle High School before moving on to continue his track career at Binghamton Univeristy.  Remarkably, he won the America East 500 Meter Track Championship in 2013. Read More >>

Brandon Nussenblatt l Practice Field Specialist I
Having served as the starting catcher on his high school team as a senior, "Coach N" is familiar with catching and throwing mechanics.  After attending the Rising Star Baseball Camp for six summers Read More >>

Anthony Petrone l Practice Field Specialist II
Having served as an assistant coach at New Rochelle HS since 2012 and attended the Rising Star Baseball Camp for five consecutive summers, Coach Petrone is well versed in the daily drills and Read More >>

Jake Teto l Assistant Coach
As a veteran camper at Rising Star Baseball Camp, Coach Jake Teto began coaching at camp in 2018.  As a pitcher and first baseman at New Rochelle HS, Jake can teach a variety of skills to campers.  With an outgoing personality Read More >>

Jackson Rosenberg l Assistant Coach
As a former camper at Rising Star Baseball Camp, Coach Rosenberg began coaching at camp in 2018 on the Rookie Field.  His experience as a left-handed pitcher and first baseman make him a fine candidate to instruct infielders and pitchers Read More >>

Nick Teto l Assistant Coach
As a long-time camper at Rising Star Baseball Camp, Coach Nick Teto began coaching at camp in 2013.  As the starting second baseman at New Rochelle HS.  With tremendous communication skills Read More >>

Damin Romeo l Assistant Coach
Coach Damin Romeo joined the camp coaching staff in 2015. As a starting outfielder at New Rochelle HS that batted in the middle of the order, Read More >>

Billy Gerken l Assistant Coach
Billy Gerken was a veteran camper who joined the coaching staff in summer 2015. Gerken plays baseball at Iona Prep in New Rochelle.  As an "A" student, Read More >>

Matt Almonte l Assistant Coach 
Matt Almonte joined the Rising Star Baseball Camp coaching staff in summer 2015.  As a starting player at New Rochelle HS, Coach Almonte teaches all aspects of the game to our campers. Read More >>

Alex Burton | Camp Trainer
After graduating from New Rochelle HS as a star basketball player, Alex Burton moved on to study personal training and play basketball at Dominican College. Read More >>

Monae Cooper l Camp Administrator
As a star track & field athlete at New Rochelle HS and Northeastern Univeristy, Coach Cooper has been around intense athletic performance  Read More >>

Zoe Saunders l Camp Administrator
Zoe Saunders serves as the camp administrator at Rising Star Baseball Camp. Her responsibilities include, Read More >>

Misha Green l Camp Administrator
As the captain and top player on her varsity basketball and lacrosse team(s) in high school, Coach Green is familiar with athletic achievement and responsibility.  Read More >>

Aliya Green l Staff Photographer
As a courageous and passionate photographer, Aliya Green has been capturing exciting photgraphs of campers at Rising Star since 2012.  With a reputation for risking it all to get the best shot, Aliya Read More >>

Nick Albero | Assistant Coach
Former camper Nick Albero led his college team, Dowling College, to the Division II College World Series in 2009. As a former camper, Nick has been coaching Read More >>

Brian Martin | Assistant Coach
Brian Martin graduated from New Rochelle HS in 2010 where he was the starting first baseman for the Huguenots. Subsequently, Coach Martin continued his studies at Stone Hill College.  Read More >>

Jamie Zakilak l Assistant Coach
After filling the role of captain and ace pitcher for her high school softball team,Coach Zakilak joined the Rising Star Camp Staff in summer 2011.  Blessed with a strong arm and sound work ethic, "Coach Z"  Read More >>

Mike Kirk l Assistant Coach
As an elementary teacher in the New Rochelle School District and assistant varsity baseball coach, Coach Kirk has experience working with athletes from various age groups.Read More >>

Ben Farber l Assistant Coach
A starting pitcher at Macalester College in Minnesota, Coach Farber works as an instructor on the Single A Field at Rising Star Baseball Camp.  He joined the camp staff in 2012 and has coached the 9-10 age Read More >>

Alexis Galluzzo l Assistant  Coach
Alexis Galluzzo has been coaching at Rising Star Baseball Camp since 2015. Previously, she starred on the NRHS Softball Read More >>

Jackie Rooney l Assistant Coach
Jackie Rooney was a player on the NRHS' Softball Team. As a stellar student-athlete, Coach Rooney will be attending Villanova University Read More >>