Bronx, N.Y. – (July 22, 2013) - Fordham baseball coach
Kevin Leighton announced the addition of
Rob DiToma to the Rams' coaching staff as an assistant coach today.
DiToma just ended a four-year stint at Iona College, serving as the team's hitting instructor and recruiting coordinator.
In four seasons at Iona, DiToma guided Iona's offense to some of its most productive seasons in the last decade. In 2010, the Gaels posted their highest batting average, slugging percentage, and scored the most runs in the last 10 seasons. Four of his hitters from that team received All-MAAC honors including First Teamers Andrew Passerelle (OF), James Beck (DH) and Chris Burke (3B) and Second Teamer Mike Chiaravalloti (1B).
Under the direction of DiToma, the program started the Iona Elite Skills Camp, an instructional camp designed to help high school players and provide these players an excellent opportunity to receive position specific instruction.
In 2012, DiToma helped a trio of players earn All-MAAC recognition, including MAAC Player of the Year Chris Burke, who finished fourth in hitting with a .351 batting, second in RBI with 50 in 53 games played and second in home runs with 11 among MAAC performers. His 72 hits, 44 runs scored, 20 doubles, 127 total bases led the league while his .620 slugging percentage was second and 23 stolen bases ranked fourth. In June of 2012, Burke became the 24th Iona player to be selected in the draft when the San Diego Padres selected him with the 555th pick in the 18th round.
In 2013, DiToma had three more hitters earn All-MAAC accolades, as Matt Kriss (UT) was named First Team All-League, while Joe Torres (OF) and Matt Byrne (DH) were both Second Team All-League.
Prior to Iona, DiToma coached for one season at Siena and one at Temple. At Siena in 2009, he helped mentor eventual two-time MAAC Player of the Year Dan Paolini during his freshman campaign. The Saints finished fourth in the MAAC in slugging (.439) and total bases (748), and third in home runs (54).
DiToma also served as an assistant coach at Temple University during the 2008 season helping the Owls to 28 wins and a berth in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. He instructed the infielders and catchers, as the Owls reached the postseason for the first time in seven years.
Before Temple, DiToma's served on the baseball coaching staff at Manhattanville while pursuing his master's degree. He guided the College to the 2007 Skyline Conference Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals. DiToma gained additional coaching experience as an assistant in the New England Collegiate Baseball League in the summers of 2006 and 2007, working primarily with the infielders and assisting with recruiting.
A 2005 graduate of Mercy College, DiToma earned his master's degree in physical education from Manhattanville College in 2007. He played four years as the starting second baseman at Mercy as an undergraduate, serving as team captain as a senior. As a junior, he batted .309 and was an All NYCAC selection.
