BROCKPORT, N.Y. – SUNY Brockport Director of Athletics Dr. Erick Hart announced the hiring of Nick Pontari as the 13th head coach in the storied history of the Golden Eagle baseball program on Wednesday afternoon.
Pontari, a proud Brockport alumnus, former assistant coach, and team captain, returns to his alma mater to lead the program he helped build—this time as its head coach. He succeeds his longtime mentor and the all-time winningest coach in program history, Justin Beach, who transitions into a new role as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance within the Department of Athletics.
"Nick is a relentless recruiter, a tireless worker, and someone who has had success building his own program from the ground up after his time at Brockport," said Dr. Hart. "He's a natural leader who connects with young men and challenges them to grow—both on and off the field. His deep ties to Brockport and vision for the future make him the ideal person to lead our baseball program forward."
Pontari takes over a program coming off a historic season. The Golden Eagles captured the 2025 Empire 8 Conference Championship, securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships and finishing with a program-record 36 wins, including an incredible 21-1-1 mark in conference play. Brockport's banner season earned national recognition, as the Golden Eagles were ranked in the Top 25 of the final D3baseball.com National Poll and professional prospect Zach Eldred became the program's first D3baseball.com National Player of the Year.
Over the last four years, Brockport has become a fixture in postseason baseball, with three NCAA Tournament appearances and two conference tournament championships. The Golden Eagles continue to solidify their place among the elite Division III programs in the nation.
"This is a proud day for Brockport Baseball. As a former player, coach, and leader within our program, Nick Pontari understands exactly what it means to be a Brockport Golden Eagle," said former Head Coach Justin Beach. "During his time as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, he played a vital role in building the foundation for our culture and success. Nick understands and believes in the core values that brand Brockport Baseball."
Pontari most recently served as the head coach at Russell Sage College, where he launched the program in 2020. In just four seasons, he led the Gators to two Empire 8 Conference Tournament finals and one regular season conference crown. Known for his relentless recruiting, he brought in student-athletes from nine states and three countries, growing the program to over 40 players. His teams also excelled in the classroom, posting a cumulative GPA increase from 3.09 to 3.41 under his leadership. He also led the program in fundraising, generating over $98,000 to support team travel, equipment, and operations.
"I'm blessed to have the opportunity to return to Brockport, my Alma Mater, where I had the chance to finish my athletic career and begin my coaching career. Coach Beach, and this program taught me so many life lessons, values, and helped shape my life and prepare me for the real world, while competing at the highest level possible on the field," said Pontari. "I'm thrilled to come back and get to work with guys who are ready to continue to dedicate themselves to being the best they can both on and off the field. A huge thank you to Erick Hart, the hiring committee, and Coach Beach for the opportunity to come back to be a part of the program that means so much to so many people."
In addition to his baseball leadership, Pontari held several prominent campus roles at Russell Sage. As Assistant Athletic Director, he oversaw home game management, supervised athletic event staff, served as liaison with admissions, and sat on the Institutional Success Team, working to improve retention and academic outcomes for student-athletes across all programs. He also served as the college's SAAC Advisor, leading dozens of community engagement initiatives.
Pontari's versatility was on full display when he took over as Interim Head Field Hockey Coach at Sage from 2022–2024. He rebuilt the program's roster and structure, recruited 12+ new student-athletes, and guided the team to a cumulative 3.69 GPA in his first semester at the helm.
His coaching résumé includes stops at Cornell University (Division I), the Glens Falls Dragons of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, and an impactful run as an assistant and associate head coach at SUNY Brockport (2015–2019). During that time, Pontari recruited and developed numerous All-Conference and All-Region players, managed the pitching and catching staff, and played a key role in fundraising and academic support.
A two-year varsity player and captain at Brockport, Pontari earned his bachelor's degree in physical education (2016) and master's degree in athletic administration (2018) from SUNY Brockport. He was honored with the program's Leadership Award and was a Male Physical Education Major of the Year nominee. In his senior season, Pontari led the staff with 15 appearances as a reliever, which tied him for seventh all-time in single season appearances in the Golden Eagles record book.
"Seeing Coach Pontari build Russell Sage into a championship-caliber program was nothing short of impressive — and now, he's coming home," said Beach. "His energy, passion, and leadership will make an immediate impact. I'm truly excited to welcome Nick back to lead the program he helped build. Brockport Baseball is in great hands, and I can't wait to see where he takes it next."
Pontari is a graduate of Troy High School in Troy, NY. After graduation, he attended Hudson Valley Community College and was a part of the 2010 Hudson Valley team that played into the Regional Finals, coming up one game short of the NJCAA Division 3 World Series. He later transferred to Fulton-Montgomery Community College to continue playing for Head Coach Dave Hennessey, where he played one semester for the Raiders.
Brockport Baseball has a rich and storied tradition spanning decades. The program boasts multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, numerous conference championships, and a long list of All-Americans and professional signees. From gritty, blue-collar roots to nationally ranked dominance, Brockport has consistently developed student-athletes who excel on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
As the program prepares for its continued future in the Empire 8 Conference, Pontari's hiring signals both continuity and momentum for one of Division III's rising powers.