SUNY - Old Westbury Women's Softball

Tommy Pennino is set to enter his fifth year at the helm of the SUNY Old Westbury Softball program after a historic 2024 season. In addition to his coaching responsibilities at OW, Pennino serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations. In the 2024 season, Pennino led the Panthers to a second place finish in the Skyline Conference Softball Tournament where his team eliminated the No. 1, No. 3, No. 4 and No.5 seeded teams. Peninno coached a total of six student-athletes who earned all-conference honors and one CSC All-American Nominee.  The 2024 season was the most successful season in school history for the softball program including the teams first post-season victories and championship appearance. In 2024, the team accumulated their most overall and conference wins in school history.  While rebuilding the program, Pennino has led his squad to playoff appearances in each year. Pennino has spent the past few years strengthening the program by expanding recruiting efforts nationwide. He has brought in several top recruits from around the country as well as DI, DII and JUCO transfers.  Prior to Old Westbury, from 2014-2019, Pennino spent six seasons as the assistant softball coach at Farmingdale State College in Farmingdale, New York, where he helped guide the team to two conference championships and two NCAA Division III Regional appearances.   Prior to Farmingdale State, Pennino played professional baseball for five years (2006-11).  He started his career with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League in Evansville, Indiana (2006-09), where he was part of the 2006 championship team.  Pennino moved on to play in the Atlantic League for the Newark Bears in Newark, New Jersey (2010), Bridgeport Bluefish in Bridgeport, Connecticut (2010) and the Long Island Ducks in Long Island, New York (2010-11).  During his tenure in the Atlantic League, Pennino was fortunate to play under Kevin Baez, Willie Upshaw and Hall of Famer Tim Raines.    As a former NCAA Division I student-athlete at Stony Brook University, Pennino appeared in 102 games as a two-year (2005-06) member of the Seawolves' baseball team under the leadership of Head Coach Matt Senk.  As a senior, Pennino batted .310 with 30 RBI and three home runs.  He would graduate in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in sociology.   Before becoming a Seawolf, Pennino also played two seasons at Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, Florida under legendary head coach Mike Easom and was a teammate with Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series champion and Most Valuable Player Steve Pearce.    Pennino played for former major league pitcher and Long Island native John Habyan at Saint John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, New York, where the team won the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Long Island Championship and was ranked 25th in the nation by Baseball America.  Coaching runs in the Pennino family.  Pennino's father, Tom Pennino Sr. is a retired math teacher and lifelong high school coach at Comsewogue High School and Bellport High School, where he coached football, baseball and softball throughout his 35-year tenure. Pennino's sister, Elizabeth, currently serves as the head softball coach at Farmingdale State and President of the Long Island Surge travel softball program.    In his spare time, Pennino enjoys fishing and the outdoors. He is also a huge dog lover and over the last few years, he has been a dock jumping handler for his late chocolate Labrador "Kaia".   Pennino currently resides in East Northport, New York with his six year old black Labrador "Koda".

Former right-handed pitcher for the Long Island Ducks Chris McCoy has been named SUNY Old Westbury assistant softball coach, announced by director of athletics Lenore J. Walsh. "I am thrilled about the addition of Chris McCoy to the Old Westbury softball coaching staff," said Walsh. "The combination of his extensive coaching and playing experience will establish a solid combination working alongside head softball coach Tom Pennino. I look forward to seeing what the future brings." Over the past 10 years, McCoy has coached the Long Island Outlaws softball travel team which his daughter Hailey, who currently attends California State University, Los Angeles, was an active member of. He also took part in working with the Long Island Surge Fastpitch based out of Farmingdale, New York alongside coach Pennino.   "I am excited for this opportunity to coach collegiate student-athletes," McCoy said. "I feel privileged to be part of Old Westbury's continued success in athletics and look forward to creating a winning tradition on and off the field. I am thankful to director of athletics Lenore J. Walsh for the opportunity and appreciate the chance to continue my coaching career in college sports."   Aside from his coaching experience, McCoy played baseball professionally for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League in Central Islip, New York during the inaugural year in 2000 and again from 2010 to 2016. He was part of the 2012 and 2013 championship teams and is currently second all-time in appearances for the Ducks. As a player and as a coach with the Long Island Storm International team, McCoy has won 11 national championships and pitched in Cuba, Italy and the Dominican Republic.   "I am beyond fortunate to have Chris as a member of the Old Westbury softball staff," stated Pennino. "Chris' knowledge of the game and his ability to connect with players will help grow our program and allow our student-athletes to maximize their potential in all facets of life."   McCoy also played two seasons (1993-94) at New York Institute of Technology under former head coach Bob Hirschfield, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration.   McCoy currently resides in Smithtown, New York.

SUNY Old Westbury Softball Head Coach Tom Pennino has announced the addition of Assistant Coach Chris Mooney who joins the Panthers’ softball program after decades of coaching various NCAA sports within the Skyline Conference.    Mooney spent 18 years at the helm of the conference rival Farmingdale State Rams’ softball team, there, he amassed an overall career coaching record of 342-246. Mooney led his team to a total of seven Skyline Conference Championships including five straight titles in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.    In 2008, Mooney was named the Softball Co-Coach of the Year for the Skyline Conference after a record-breaking season where his team went 32-12.    In addition to leading the Ram’s softball program, Mooney simultaneously served as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Farmingdale State. Mooney developed a career record of 316-193 as head coach. Mooney led the women to the Conference Finals in 11-of-16 seasons and helped the program capture their first-ever Skyline Conference Championship in 2009-10.   Mooney played a big role in helping build the Exodus NYC Girls Travel Basketball Program into a national powerhouse. Along the way he has coached and mentored many DI players including several WNBA players such as Epiphanny Prince, Kia Vaughn, Sammy Prahalis and Marina Mabrey.   Mooney received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from SUNY New Paltz in 1997.