The College of New Jersey Athletics

John Castaldo is entering his 14^th season at the helm of The College of New Jersey's men's basketball program. Castaldo returned to his alma mater in 1993 and proceeded to rebuild the Lions’ men’s basketball program. Under his guidance, the Lions have been a constant threat in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) playoff race annually since his arrival.

In thirteen seasons at the helm, Castaldo has compiled a record of 188-135 at TCNJ as well as an overall coaching record of 398-195 after coming to the College from nearby McCorristin High School.

The Lions are coming off another impressive campaign, having posted a 17-9 overall finish and an 11-7 NJAC record. The Lions competed in the NJAC post-season tournament for the third straight year and at year’s end, Castaldo was named the 2006 NJAC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year and also served as the league’s coach in the NJAC-Skyline Conference Senior All-Star Classic.

Over the last three seasons, the Lions have combined to win 52 games (18, 17, and 17), while watching the College’s scoring records change hands. During the 2005-2006 season, forward Scott Findlay became the College’s second all-time leading scorer after amassing 1,668 points and surpassed the previous second leading scorer, former team mate, Derick Grant who held the spot after collecting 1,543 points during his career.

By season’s end, Findlay was named to the NABC All-America Second Team after earning both NJAC and ECAC All-Star First Team honors. During his career, Findlay had 42 career double-doubles and finished with double digit scoring performances in 88 of his 107 games played, while also collecting 948 career rebounds and finished the 2005-2006 season as the NJAC’s leading rebounder once again.

TCNJ is coming off another banner campaign that saw the squad rank among the statistical leaders as the 2005-2006 Lions were ranked third in NJAC in win percentage and finished second in scoring defense, yielding just 56.9 ppg, which was also second best in all of Division III. TCNJ also ranked nationally in field goal percentage defense (No. 33, 40.2%), fewest turnovers (No. 74, 14.0) and No. 6 in fewest fouls committed (14.9).

During the 2004-2005 season, Castaldo led the Lions to a 17-9 finish after advancing for the second straight year to the NJAC Playoffs.  As a senior in 2005, Derick Grant became at the time, the College’s second all-time leading scorer with 1,543 points and was selected as the Player of the Year in the NJAC and the ECAC, while also earning NJAC and ECAC First –Team honors. He was also selected Second Team All-District by the NABC and was named the 2005 recipient of the Varsity Lion Award as the Top Senior Male athlete at TCNJ. Another classmate of Grant’s, Kyle Burke, finished his stellar career ranking ninth all-time in scoring at the College with 1,280 points and was a 2005 NJAC Second Team honoree.

During the 1997–98 season, Castaldo led the Lions to a remarkable 22-5 finish. The Lions captured the NJAC regular season championship with a stellar 15-3 record in conference games, earning the top seed in the NJAC Tournament. The Lions then defeated Rowan University to win NJAC Tournament for the just the second time in school history. The Lions also secured the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1990. Castaldo was rewarded for his direction by being selected as both the NJAC and NJCBCA Division III Coach of the Year.

            Castaldo and his Lions in 1998 also showed tremendous heart in a respectable loss to Division I Princeton University at Jadwin Gym before a crowd of 4,500 fans. The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for the Lions as they fell 59-50 to the No. 11 ranked team in Division I. During the 2000–01 season, the Lions once again played Princeton University in a hard fought contest before dropping a tough 60-50 decision. The Lions have been the only Division III program to ever play Division I Princeton University to a nine- and 10-point game respectfully.

Castaldo, now in his 14th year at his alma mater, earned his 100th collegiate win against Rutgers University–Newark on January 29, 2000. Castaldo has coached seven 1,000 point scorers over the past 13 years. They are Sean Covington ’99 (1,308 pts.), Bill Burr ’98 (1,154 pts.), Joe Amari ’00 (1,222 pts.), Derick Grant (1,543 pts.), Kyle Burke (1,280 pts.) and Scott Findlay (1,668 pts.

He collected his 150^th collegiate victory as the Lions downed eventual NJAC Champions, New Jersey City University 88-79 on February 14, 2004. During the 2003-2004 season, the Lions earned a spot in the NJAC tournament and went 18-9 on the campaign, despite the presence of a single senior on the roster. By year’s end, the Lions had advanced to the second round of the NJAC playoffs, while also producing a 1,000 point scorer and an All-NJAC First-Team honoree, in Derick Grant.

A 1982 graduate of Trenton State College, Castaldo remained at TSC following his graduation and earned a master's degree from the College. Born and raised in the Trenton area, Castaldo's local ties are extremely strong.  He was honored in 2004 by the Golden Wave Club and presented with the prestigious Reverend Clarence O’Shea Memorial Award for his area contributions and on the court successes.  The award also comes on the heels of being inducted in 2003 to McCorristin Catholic’s Hall of Fame.

            Castaldo, 46, came to TCNJ from nearby McCorristin High School, where he had been serving as both the boy’s basketball coach and the athletic director. Since 1983, Castaldo’s basketball teams had compiled a 210-60 (a .780 win percentage), including a Mercer County record 56-game win streak spanning from the 1986 to 1989 seasons. In addition, Castaldo’s 1989 and 1990 teams captured the NJSIAA Parochial A Championship. His teams also won three South Jersey Parochial A state titles and seven conference championships during his career. His record over his last eight years at McCorristin was an astounding 192-32 (a .860 win percentage). During his 10 years at McCorristin, his teams averaged 21 wins per season.

            In conjunction with his McCorristin coaching duties, Castaldo also served as the athletic director from January 1985 until September 1993. He was responsible for all phases of the athletic department as well as developing an academic counseling program for student-athletes at the Trenton-based high school.

            At TCNJ, Castaldo also serves as the coordinator of event staffing for the College’s fall and spring varsity athletic contests, while also working on marketing and promotions of the College’s 20 varsity athletic programs.

John Castaldo’s Career College Coaching Record

Year    Overall Won Lost    Pct.                 NJAC Won Lost      Finish
1993-94         11        13        .458                7-11                            Seventh
1994-95         16        9          .760                12-6                            Second
1995-96         12        10        .545                9-9                              Fifth
1996-97         14        10        .583                10-8                            Fifth
1997-98         22        5          .815                #15-3                          First
1998-99         12        12        .500                9-9                              Fifth
1999-00         14        10        .583                9-9                              Fifth
2000-01         11        13        .458                7-11                            Eighth
2001-02         11        14        .440                6-12                            Eighth
2002-03         13        12        .520                6-12                            Eighth
2003-04         18        9          .667                7-6                              Second
2004-05         17        9          .653                10-6                            Tied for Second
2005-06         17        9          .653                11-7                            Fourth
Totals          188     135     .582                118-109

            #Indicates NJAC Champions

In thirteen seasons at the helm, Castaldo has compiled a record of 188-135 at TCNJ as well as an overall coaching record of 398-195 after coming to the College from nearby McCorristin High School.

The Lions are coming off another impressive campaign, having posted a 17-9 overall finish and an 11-7 NJAC record. The Lions competed in the NJAC post-season tournament for the third straight year and at year’s end, Castaldo was named the 2006 NJAC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year and also served as the league’s coach in the NJAC-Skyline Conference Senior All-Star Classic.

Over the last three seasons, the Lions have combined to win 52 games (18, 17, and 17), while watching the College’s scoring records change hands. During the 2005-2006 season, forward Scott Findlay became the College’s second all-time leading scorer after amassing 1,668 points and surpassed the previous second leading scorer, former team mate, Derick Grant who held the spot after collecting 1,543 points during his career.

By season’s end, Findlay was named to the NABC All-America Second Team after earning both NJAC and ECAC All-Star First Team honors. During his career, Findlay had 42 career double-doubles and finished with double digit scoring performances in 88 of his 107 games played, while also collecting 948 career rebounds and finished the 2005-2006 season as the NJAC’s leading rebounder once again.

TCNJ is coming off another banner campaign that saw the squad rank among the statistical leaders as the 2005-2006 Lions were ranked third in NJAC in win percentage and finished second in scoring defense, yielding just 56.9 ppg, which was also second best in all of Division III. TCNJ also ranked nationally in field goal percentage defense (No. 33, 40.2%), fewest turnovers (No. 74, 14.0) and No. 6 in fewest fouls committed (14.9).

During the 2004-2005 season, Castaldo led the Lions to a 17-9 finish after advancing for the second straight year to the NJAC Playoffs.  As a senior in 2005, Derick Grant became at the time, the College’s second all-time leading scorer with 1,543 points and was selected as the Player of the Year in the NJAC and the ECAC, while also earning NJAC and ECAC First –Team honors. He was also selected Second Team All-District by the NABC and was named the 2005 recipient of the Varsity Lion Award as the Top Senior Male athlete at TCNJ. Another classmate of Grant’s, Kyle Burke, finished his stellar career ranking ninth all-time in scoring at the College with 1,280 points and was a 2005 NJAC Second Team honoree.

During the 1997–98 season, Castaldo led the Lions to a remarkable 22-5 finish. The Lions captured the NJAC regular season championship with a stellar 15-3 record in conference games, earning the top seed in the NJAC Tournament. The Lions then defeated Rowan University to win NJAC Tournament for the just the second time in school history. The Lions also secured the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1990. Castaldo was rewarded for his direction by being selected as both the NJAC and NJCBCA Division III Coach of the Year.

            Castaldo and his Lions in 1998 also showed tremendous heart in a respectable loss to Division I Princeton University at Jadwin Gym before a crowd of 4,500 fans. The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for the Lions as they fell 59-50 to the No. 11 ranked team in Division I. During the 2000–01 season, the Lions once again played Princeton University in a hard fought contest before dropping a tough 60-50 decision. The Lions have been the only Division III program to ever play Division I Princeton University to a nine- and 10-point game respectfully.

Castaldo, now in his 14th year at his alma mater, earned his 100th collegiate win against Rutgers University–Newark on January 29, 2000. Castaldo has coached seven 1,000 point scorers over the past 13 years. They are Sean Covington ’99 (1,308 pts.), Bill Burr ’98 (1,154 pts.), Joe Amari ’00 (1,222 pts.), Derick Grant (1,543 pts.), Kyle Burke (1,280 pts.) and Scott Findlay (1,668 pts.

He collected his 150^th collegiate victory as the Lions downed eventual NJAC Champions, New Jersey City University 88-79 on February 14, 2004. During the 2003-2004 season, the Lions earned a spot in the NJAC tournament and went 18-9 on the campaign, despite the presence of a single senior on the roster. By year’s end, the Lions had advanced to the second round of the NJAC playoffs, while also producing a 1,000 point scorer and an All-NJAC First-Team honoree, in Derick Grant.

A 1982 graduate of Trenton State College, Castaldo remained at TSC following his graduation and earned a master's degree from the College. Born and raised in the Trenton area, Castaldo's local ties are extremely strong.  He was honored in 2004 by the Golden Wave Club and presented with the prestigious Reverend Clarence O’Shea Memorial Award for his area contributions and on the court successes.  The award also comes on the heels of being inducted in 2003 to McCorristin Catholic’s Hall of Fame.

            Castaldo, 46, came to TCNJ from nearby McCorristin High School, where he had been serving as both the boy’s basketball coach and the athletic director. Since 1983, Castaldo’s basketball teams had compiled a 210-60 (a .780 win percentage), including a Mercer County record 56-game win streak spanning from the 1986 to 1989 seasons. In addition, Castaldo’s 1989 and 1990 teams captured the NJSIAA Parochial A Championship. His teams also won three South Jersey Parochial A state titles and seven conference championships during his career. His record over his last eight years at McCorristin was an astounding 192-32 (a .860 win percentage). During his 10 years at McCorristin, his teams averaged 21 wins per season.

            In conjunction with his McCorristin coaching duties, Castaldo also served as the athletic director from January 1985 until September 1993. He was responsible for all phases of the athletic department as well as developing an academic counseling program for student-athletes at the Trenton-based high school.

            At TCNJ, Castaldo also serves as the coordinator of event staffing for the College’s fall and spring varsity athletic contests, while also working on marketing and promotions of the College’s 20 varsity athletic programs.

John Castaldo’s Career College Coaching Record

Year    Overall Won Lost    Pct.                 NJAC Won Lost      Finish
1993-94         11        13        .458                7-11                            Seventh
1994-95         16        9          .760                12-6                            Second
1995-96         12        10        .545                9-9                              Fifth
1996-97         14        10        .583                10-8                            Fifth
1997-98         22        5          .815                #15-3                          First
1998-99         12        12        .500                9-9                              Fifth
1999-00         14        10        .583                9-9                              Fifth
2000-01         11        13        .458                7-11                            Eighth
2001-02         11        14        .440                6-12                            Eighth
2002-03         13        12        .520                6-12                            Eighth
2003-04         18        9          .667                7-6                              Second
2004-05         17        9          .653                10-6                            Tied for Second
2005-06         17        9          .653                11-7                            Fourth
Totals          188     135     .582                118-109

            #Indicates NJAC Champions

In thirteen seasons at the helm, Castaldo has compiled a record of 188-135 at TCNJ as well as an overall coaching record of 398-195 after coming to the College from nearby McCorristin High School.

The Lions are coming off another impressive campaign, having posted a 17-9 overall finish and an 11-7 NJAC record. The Lions competed in the NJAC post-season tournament for the third straight year and at year’s end, Castaldo was named the 2006 NJAC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year and also served as the league’s coach in the NJAC-Skyline Conference Senior All-Star Classic.

Over the last three seasons, the Lions have combined to win 52 games (18, 17, and 17), while watching the College’s scoring records change hands. During the 2005-2006 season, forward Scott Findlay became the College’s second all-time leading scorer after amassing 1,668 points and surpassed the previous second leading scorer, former team mate, Derick Grant who held the spot after collecting 1,543 points during his career.

By season’s end, Findlay was named to the NABC All-America Second Team after earning both NJAC and ECAC All-Star First Team honors. During his career, Findlay had 42 career double-doubles and finished with double digit scoring performances in 88 of his 107 games played, while also collecting 948 career rebounds and finished the 2005-2006 season as the NJAC’s leading rebounder once again.

TCNJ is coming off another banner campaign that saw the squad rank among the statistical leaders as the 2005-2006 Lions were ranked third in NJAC in win percentage and finished second in scoring defense, yielding just 56.9 ppg, which was also second best in all of Division III. TCNJ also ranked nationally in field goal percentage defense (No. 33, 40.2%), fewest turnovers (No. 74, 14.0) and No. 6 in fewest fouls committed (14.9).

During the 2004-2005 season, Castaldo led the Lions to a 17-9 finish after advancing for the second straight year to the NJAC Playoffs.  As a senior in 2005, Derick Grant became at the time, the College’s second all-time leading scorer with 1,543 points and was selected as the Player of the Year in the NJAC and the ECAC, while also earning NJAC and ECAC First –Team honors. He was also selected Second Team All-District by the NABC and was named the 2005 recipient of the Varsity Lion Award as the Top Senior Male athlete at TCNJ. Another classmate of Grant’s, Kyle Burke, finished his stellar career ranking ninth all-time in scoring at the College with 1,280 points and was a 2005 NJAC Second Team honoree.

During the 1997–98 season, Castaldo led the Lions to a remarkable 22-5 finish. The Lions captured the NJAC regular season championship with a stellar 15-3 record in conference games, earning the top seed in the NJAC Tournament. The Lions then defeated Rowan University to win NJAC Tournament for the just the second time in school history. The Lions also secured the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1990. Castaldo was rewarded for his direction by being selected as both the NJAC and NJCBCA Division III Coach of the Year.

            Castaldo and his Lions in 1998 also showed tremendous heart in a respectable loss to Division I Princeton University at Jadwin Gym before a crowd of 4,500 fans. The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for the Lions as they fell 59-50 to the No. 11 ranked team in Division I. During the 2000–01 season, the Lions once again played Princeton University in a hard fought contest before dropping a tough 60-50 decision. The Lions have been the only Division III program to ever play Division I Princeton University to a nine- and 10-point game respectfully.

Castaldo, now in his 14th year at his alma mater, earned his 100th collegiate win against Rutgers University–Newark on January 29, 2000. Castaldo has coached seven 1,000 point scorers over the past 13 years. They are Sean Covington ’99 (1,308 pts.), Bill Burr ’98 (1,154 pts.), Joe Amari ’00 (1,222 pts.), Derick Grant (1,543 pts.), Kyle Burke (1,280 pts.) and Scott Findlay (1,668 pts.

He collected his 150^th collegiate victory as the Lions downed eventual NJAC Champions, New Jersey City University 88-79 on February 14, 2004. During the 2003-2004 season, the Lions earned a spot in the NJAC tournament and went 18-9 on the campaign, despite the presence of a single senior on the roster. By year’s end, the Lions had advanced to the second round of the NJAC playoffs, while also producing a 1,000 point scorer and an All-NJAC First-Team honoree, in Derick Grant.

A 1982 graduate of Trenton State College, Castaldo remained at TSC following his graduation and earned a master's degree from the College. Born and raised in the Trenton area, Castaldo's local ties are extremely strong.  He was honored in 2004 by the Golden Wave Club and presented with the prestigious Reverend Clarence O’Shea Memorial Award for his area contributions and on the court successes.  The award also comes on the heels of being inducted in 2003 to McCorristin Catholic’s Hall of Fame.

            Castaldo, 46, came to TCNJ from nearby McCorristin High School, where he had been serving as both the boy’s basketball coach and the athletic director. Since 1983, Castaldo’s basketball teams had compiled a 210-60 (a .780 win percentage), including a Mercer County record 56-game win streak spanning from the 1986 to 1989 seasons. In addition, Castaldo’s 1989 and 1990 teams captured the NJSIAA Parochial A Championship. His teams also won three South Jersey Parochial A state titles and seven conference championships during his career. His record over his last eight years at McCorristin was an astounding 192-32 (a .860 win percentage). During his 10 years at McCorristin, his teams averaged 21 wins per season.

            In conjunction with his McCorristin coaching duties, Castaldo also served as the athletic director from January 1985 until September 1993. He was responsible for all phases of the athletic department as well as developing an academic counseling program for student-athletes at the Trenton-based high school.

            At TCNJ, Castaldo also serves as the coordinator of event staffing for the College’s fall and spring varsity athletic contests, while also working on marketing and promotions of the College’s 20 varsity athletic programs.

John Castaldo’s Career College Coaching Record

Year    Overall Won Lost    Pct.                 NJAC Won Lost      Finish
1993-94         11        13        .458                7-11                            Seventh
1994-95         16        9          .760                12-6                            Second
1995-96         12        10        .545                9-9                              Fifth
1996-97         14        10        .583                10-8                            Fifth
1997-98         22        5          .815                #15-3                          First
1998-99         12        12        .500                9-9                              Fifth
1999-00         14        10        .583                9-9                              Fifth
2000-01         11        13        .458                7-11                            Eighth
2001-02         11        14        .440                6-12                            Eighth
2002-03         13        12        .520                6-12                            Eighth
2003-04         18        9          .667                7-6                              Second
2004-05         17        9          .653                10-6                            Tied for Second
2005-06         17        9          .653                11-7                            Fourth
Totals          188     135     .582                118-109

            #Indicates NJAC Champions