Mike Rooney began his coaching career at Rockland Community College. Here Rooney assisted many student athletes transferring to four-year universities and others in pursuing their professional careers. After 10 years at the Junior College level. Mike accepted the Don Bosco Prep head coaching position in the fall of 2012. During his playing days at North Rockland HS Mike was a member of two consecutive New York State championship teams. Out of high school Mike was drafted by the Seattle Mariners as a shortstop. Although playing pro ball was his dream he decided to attend Penn State University on a baseball scholarship.
After two years as a Nittany Lion, and winning the Big Ten Championship in his sophomore season Rooney transferred to St. Johns University to play for coach Ed Blankmeyer and assistant coach Kevin MacMullen (University of Virginia). Here he would be part of coach Blankmeyer’s first Big East Championship team with a record of 9-1 as a pitcher. In the spring of 1997 Mike was drafted as a pitcher by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 6th round of the Major League Baseball Draft.
Rooney pitched in the Diamondback organization for four years, and reached the Triple-A level before a shoulder injury ended his career.
In his first season at Don Bosco the Ironmen won the Big North Conference Title as well as the Bergen County Championship and the Northern New Jersey Non-Public A Championship. Currently in his 7th season Rooney and staff have had over 76 players commit to playing college baseball since the 2011 season. Rooney has led three teams to Bergen County Tournament Championships, two teams to the Non Public A Northern Division titles as well as two teams to a state championship appearance.
While at Don Bosco Coach Rooney looks to continue the tradition of academic excellence that has enabled the players in the program to pursue their goals of playing at the college level. For all players in the Don Bosco baseball program share a common goal:
