Policastro Enters Coaches Hall of Fame

Andrea Byerly
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 12:00 AM
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CLEVELAND, TN - Cleveland State Community College Athletics Director and Head Baseball Coach, Michael Policastro, will be inducted into the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on January 21, 2023. Policastro has served as Cleveland State’s Head Baseball Coach for 30 years and Athletics Director for 26 years.

A former collegiate baseball player, Policastro graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan University with a degree in Physical Education in 1983. He entered the coaching ranks at Wesleyan as an assistant then as the Bulldogs Head Coach leading them to conference championships twice in seven years. He was inducted into Tennessee Wesleyan’s Hall of Fame in 2003.

Dr. Michael Stokes, Cleveland State Vice President of Student Services, said, “We congratulate Mike on his selection to the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. He is a great baseball coach, a terrific athletic director and just an outstanding person. Mike's steady, positive leadership and the integrity he exhibits in his work life has influenced thousands of student-athletes over his tenure as a college baseball coach. As a result of his teaching and mentoring, hundreds of players have gone on to play baseball at all levels, including the major leagues. Maybe the biggest part of his legacy is that dozens of Mike's former players and assistant coaches have gone on to successful careers teaching and coaching in high school, college and the pros. Mike is the consummate professional in the way he approaches his work and has dedicated himself to the athletics program at Cleveland State, giving our student athletes the best experience possible. His Hall of Fame selection is a well-deserved honor.”     

Policastro has coached and mentored over 250 student athletes who have moved onto four-year universities and 30 students who have entered professional baseball. Two hundred players have earned Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) academic honors while 75 players have earned academic honors from the National Junior College Athletic Association.                         

Policastro split ten years as the Chair of the Athletic Directors and Baseball Coaches committees of the TCCAA. As a community leader, he has served as a baseball clinician at hundreds of baseball camps in Tennessee while maintaining professional membership in the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association since its inception as well as the American Baseball Coaches Association.

With his attention to detail, Policastro is credited with the continued upgrade of the Cleveland State athletic facility. The Cleveland State Baseball Field was recognized as the collegiate Field of the Year in 2018 by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association.

Policastro said, “First, I want to thank the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association for this very special recognition. It is gratifying to be recognized for meeting many of my career goals. I also want to thank the many colleagues, players and coaches that I have had the opportunity to work with. Also, I have been fortunate to coach at two great institutions - Tennessee Wesleyan and Cleveland State. I am thankful for the support from administrators throughout my career. Lastly, but most importantly, I want to thank my wife, Elaine, and children Chris, Michelle and Kyle for the loyal support they have given me in pursuing my career dreams.”