Centenary (N.J.) Names Andrew Romanella New Head Coach

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HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Andrew Romanella, a veteran coach who has experience across a multitude of divisions, has been named the Centenary University baseball head coach it was announced by Director of Athletics Travis Spencer.

"I am extremely humbled and excited for the opportunity to lead the Centenary Baseball Program moving forward," said Romanella. "I want to thank Director of Athletics, Travis Spencer and the entire search committee for believing in my vision for this program. I am ready to hit the ground running and begin building Cyclones baseball into a consistent contender in the Atlantic East Conference."

Romanella joins the Cyclones from Fairleigh Dickinson University where he spent the 21-22 season as an assistant coach. During his time with the Knights, he served as the third base, outfield, Assistant hitting and catching coach, helping lead the Knights to their first appearance in the Northeast Conference Tournament since 2016. Romanella also coached five player of the week honorees and oversaw two knights earn First Team All-NEC and two earn Second Team All-NEC recognition. During the 2022 campaign, the FDU offense finished top-3 in 14 of the conferences 18 offensive categories, won 16 NEC games, the 2nd most in school history and became the only team in conference history to sweep Bryant University.

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Romanella as the Head Coach for our baseball program," said Spencer. "Andrew brings in a diverse baseball background and I am confident that his energy will take this team to a new level. We have a solid group of returners and have added some talented incoming freshman that I know will appreciate his love of the game." 

Prior to his to move to the FDU Division I campus, Romanella spent three years as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at FDU Florham. While at FDU Florham, he coached multiple MAC Freedom All-Conference honorees and an ABCA All-Region selection. Three Devils recorded the 100th hit of their career while under Romanella's tutelage. He helped the Devils finish among the top three in the MAC Freedom Conference in multiple offensive categories.

Romanella also helped the Devils find success off the field as well as 50+ student-athletes were selected for the MAC Freedom Academic Honor Roll.

While coaching at FDU Florham, he also spent two years as the Sports Information Director for the Devils' Athletic Department. He managed all aspects of that office and promoted the school's athletic teams.

Other collegiate coaching stops for Romanella included St. Thomas Aquinas, where he helped lead the Spartans to a 2018 ECC Championship and oversaw 5-players get drafted or sign a professional contract. Prior to STAC, Romanella also spent time at the College of Mount St. Vincent as an assistant coach and spent two years as the head coach at Raritan Valley Community College.

Along the way, he has been involved in all aspects of the programs he coached with. He has worked on recruiting efforts, fundraising efforts, monitored academic progress for his student-athletes, organized community service events, travel plans and more.

He also brings professional coaching experience to Hackettstown as he was the manager and third base coach for the New York Brave and the bench and first base coach for the New York Boulders. In his work with the Brave, he was part of the 2020 Frontier League "All-American Classic" Championship Runner-up squad.

Romanella recently earned his master's degree in business administration from Fairleigh Dickinson. He got a bachelor's degree in communications from St. Thomas Aquinas in 2013.