Riverdale, NY - A former Skyline Conference rival is now a Dolphin.
Matthew Rienzi, who spend four seasons opposing the University of Mount Saint Vincent with St. Joseph's University Brooklyn, has been tabbed as the newest leader of the baseball program.
Rienzi takes over effective immediately. He was also appointed the title of Assistant Athletic Director, where his primary duty will be to oversee the department's Fitness Center.
We're very excited to welcome Matt to Riverdale after identifying him as an up-and-coming head coach," stated Stern. "His familiarty with the conference was also a plus for us. We're excited to see Matt take this program to new heights."
"I'd like to thank Phil Stern and the hiring committee for the opportunity to lead this program. Ever since I have gotten into the coaches ranks, I had the urge to run my own program one day, so this is a dream come true," Rienzi said. "I'd also like to thank Kevin Kelley, Eric Hirschbein-Bodnar, and Peter Blumenauer for their help in building me into the coach I am today and investing in me."
Rienzi's most recent stop was at Division-III Roger Williams University, where he held numerous roles on the coaching staff from September of 2022 up until the end of their 2024 campaign. Rienzi primarily served as the program's recruiting coordinator while also assisting in both practice and game day activities.
His collegiate experienced began at his alma mater, as Rienzi worked as a volunteer assistant coach for the Bears from May of 2021 through the team's 2022 season.
Rienzi, too, has spent time at the helm of a program, as he's served as the head coach of the Ocean State Waves of the New England Collegiate Baseball League beginning in the team's 2024 campaign. Rienzi has been a part of the Waves' coaching staff since November of 2021, working his way up from bullpen coach to pitching coach before running the ball club. He also was the head coach of the Long Island Gamecocks of the Stan Musial League/Boys of Summer Perfect Game Collegiate League from May of 2019 until August of 2021.
"The expectations are to achieve greatness and build off the success each and every year. I firmly believe that this job does not just consist of recruiting and developing talent, but also creating better people through the sport. The program should expect to be a powerhouse not only within the Skyline Conference but also the Region," Rienzi said of the upcoming season. "Likewise, the program will continue to grow both on and off campus with not only athletic events but also philanthropic. I fully expect the guys on the roster to dominate every single thing that is asked of them, eventually achieving success in their post graduation life because it is not about the next four years, but about the next forty."
Rienzi was a two-year captain throughout his tenure with the Bears while also representing Poland in the European Baseball Championship Qualifiers and Federation Cup Qualifiers, among other tournaments, from 2015 through 2020.
Rienzi currently resides in Maspeth, New York.