Hofstra baseball coach Frank Catalanotto, a 14-year major leaguer from Smithtown, spoke with CMS sports management students this week. Catalanotto delivered an engaging, informative presentation that highlighted the many moving parts involved in running a successful collegiate baseball program. He explained how recruiting functions at the Division I level, noting the importance of evaluating not only talent, but also academic commitment and long-term personal growth. He also described how scholarship allocations must be strategically managed to balance roster needs, competitive expectations, and NCAA regulations.
Beyond the recruiting process, Catalanotto outlined the demanding schedules student-athletes must maintain. He spoke about early morning workouts, daily practices, academic responsibilities, travel obligations, and the importance of time management. He stressed that discipline and accountability extend far beyond the baseball field. The coach also highlighted the many opportunities available for non-playing students to be involved in the program, including roles in marketing, analytics, operations, social media, and game-day support. These positions, he noted, offer valuable experience for students interested in careers in sports management or related fields.
Catalanotto emphasized the characteristics he values most in potential recruits: strong grades, integrity, teamwork, hustle, and a genuine competitive spirit. Skill alone, he explained, is never enough to build a sustainable winning culture. “In order to build a winning team, you have to have the right culture,” Catalanotto told the middle school students, encouraging them to focus on both character and effort in their own pursuits.
The visit held added meaning given the local ties within the school community. Commack athletic director Pat Friel, himself a former Hofstra baseball player, attended the event, as did CMS sports management teacher and Hofstra alum Jason Fluger. Their presence underscored the strong connection between the university and the surrounding community. The discussion left students inspired and eager to pursue opportunities.