Men's Basketball
| Bernard Tomlin | ||
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Title | Assistant AD/ Head Men's Basketball Coach |
| tomlinb@oldwestbury.edu | ||
| Phone | 516.876.3466 | |
A legendary Long Island player and coach, Bernard Tomlin was brought to Old Westbury in 2001 to transform the Panthers into a regional power. In seven seasons, he has shown that his teams are always competitive, work hard in practice, and strive to be solid citizens.
The 2005-06 season had the Panthers' back on the winning track posting a 14-12 overall record and 7-7 in Skyline Conference play, while utilizing the home court advantage to a 9-4 record at the Clark Athletic Center.
In 2004-05, Tomlin's team posted a 12-15 overall mark, playing one of the most difficult schedules in school history. The Panthers' slate included four teams who spent time in the top-25, as well as a match-up with local Division I opponent, Long Island University. In the second game of the season, Old Westbury played St. John Fisher, who ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation during the season. Also in November, the Panthers played the College of New Jersey, who were No. 17 at the time. On December 19, Old Westbury played LIU to a 10-point contest and was up against then No. 18 Gwynedd Mercy for half of the game.
2003-04 proved to be the best season in Old Westbury men's basketball history. Highlights of the 19-9 campaign included games against Division II NY Tech and Division I Yale University, and a streak of eight-straight wins against Skyline Conference opponents between Jan. 17 and Feb. 11.
Garnering the No. 1 seed in the Skyline playoffs after a 12-2 finish in league play, Old Westbury beat Yeshiva (60-42) and Farmingdale (73-66) in the playoffs to earn a match-up with No. 2 seeded Mt. St. Mary's in the championship game.
The Blue Knights and the Panthers had met two weeks earlier in a regular season contest where Mt. St. Mary topped the Panthers 72-64. The re-match, however, would have a different outcome, as Old Westbury edged out the Blue Knights, 68-66, clinching the Skyline Conference Championship and a berth in the 2004 NCAA Division III tournament.
Old Westbury dropped its first round contest against perennial power Catholic, but Tomlin's accomplishments had already entered the record books. Following the season he was once again honored by his peer, as he was named the Skyline Conference Coach of the Year for the second-straight season.
In 2002-03, Old Westbury continued to improve, finishing the season with a 16-12 overall record. With an 11-3 mark in the league, the Panthers earned the fourth seed in the 2002-03 Skyline tournament, and gained further notoriety, receiving an ECAC NY/NJ Metro Region postseason tournament bid. Tomlin's accomplishments that season earned him the 2003 Skyline Conference Coach of the Year award.
Prior to Tomlin's arrival, Old Westbury finished the 2000-01 season with a 7-18 record, good for last place in the nine-team Skyline Conference. In 2001-02, his first season at Old Westbury, Tomlin's team showed a dramatic turnaround, finishing 14-11 overall, and climbed to fifth place in the conference.
Tomlin's coaching career began in 1986 when he guided William Patterson to a 20-9 record in his rookie season as a head coach. He also served a brief stint at Adelphi, before taking over the helm at Stony Brook University. In eight seasons with Stony Brook, Tomlin accumulated 100 wins. For his career, Tomlin boasts a 235-217 overall record in 17 seasons as a head coach.
Tomlin played collegiate basketball at Hofstra University, where he holds the record for field goals made in single game (20) and was the season scoring leader (11.8 PPG) and free throw leader (52-61 .852) in 1974-75. Tomlin played high school ball and holds the single game scoring record at Malverne High School (45 points).
| Cordell Grooms | ||
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Title | Assistant Men's Basketball Coach |
| groomsc@oldwestbury.edu | ||
| Phone | 516.876.3320 | |
Cordell began his second stint with the SUNY College at Old Westbury Men's Basketball program during the 2007-08 campaign. He previously served as the Director of Basketball Operations from 2001-2003. In his new role, Cordell is an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach and Intramural Coordinator. Entering his second season as Assistant Coach, Grooms is a savvy recruiter, teacher, and historian of the game of basketball, he brings over ten years of sports management experience into his current position. He also provides guidance, mentoring and life skills training to economically disadvantaged youth in the NYC area.
Cordell was a two year starter and captain for John Jay College from 1990-92. During the 1991-1992 season he was an All-American candidate, 2nd team All ECAC Metro Region selection, the CUNY conference leading scorer with 22 points per game, scored a career high 42 points in a game and recorded the school's first triple double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists. He finished his career with 831 points in 34 varsity contests for 24 points per game career average. He graduated from John Jay College with a B.A. in Behavioral Science in 1992.
Cordell also graduated magna cum laude from SUNY College at Old Westbury with a dual degree in Media Communications/American Studies in 2003. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Science in Sports Studies from the United States Sports Academy.
Cordell is married and resides with his wife, Sihiey, in
Brooklyn, New York.
| Jeff Labiento | ||
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Title | Assistant Men's Basketball Coach |
| labientoj@oldwestbury.edu | ||
| Phone | 516.876.3241 | |
Jeff Labiento is well known to the SUNY community, having graduated from the State University of New York College at Cortland in 2000 with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and a concentration in Coaching. Since graduating SUNY Cortland, Labiento has worked as a Physical Educator for Pre-Kindergarten through eight grades at St. Joseph's School in Garden City, New York. He also held the position of Assistant Coach for Women's Basketball at rival Farmingdale State, where he helped lead the team to the NCAA tournament during the 2002-03 season, and since then to the ECAC final game each year.
Labiento enters into his second year at Old Westbury is looking
forward to a successful and busy year with both Men's and Women's
Cross Country teams, assisting the Men's Basketball team, as well
as, being the Intramural and Recreational Sports Coordinator.