The St. John Fisher College Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Mike Grosodonia II has been named the head coach of the men’s basketball program. Grosodonia, who had served as the interim head coach for the 2017-18 season, has been with the program since 2016 following an outstanding career in the high school ranks.
“My family and I are grateful for the opportunity to be the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at St. John Fisher College,” remarked Grosodonia. “I am excited to carry on the rich tradition of success this program has had for so many years. I would also like to thank Vice President for Enrollment Management Jose Perales, Athletic Director Bob Ward and the Fisher family for their continued support.”
Grosodonia, who took over the program in October following the retirement of Rob Kornaker, guided the Cardinals to 15 wins last season including 10 victories in Empire 8 play. Under his direction, Fisher was among the Conference’s offensive leaders at 80.9 points per game while on the defensive end of the floor, the Cardinals boasted the second-lowest scoring defense in the Empire 8 at 71.9 points on average.
Fisher flourished in Grosodonia’s system last season as the team led the Empire 8 in field goal percentage (.448) and defensive rebounding (32.4) while its 8.2 steals per game ranked second among all Conference programs.
Under his guidance, the Cardinals had two players named All-Empire 8 including Sammy Robinson who was named Second-Team after leading Fisher in points per game (14.7), rebounds per game (5.1), blocked shots (11) and made 3-pointers (30). Senior Tyler English was also tabbed Second-Team as the Lockport native wrapped up his career with 1,094 career points – good for 14th place on the program’s all-time scoring list.
Grosodonia, who is just the fourth head coach in the program’s storied history, served as first assistant during the 2016-17 campaign that saw the Cardinals post a 23-6 overall mark. Fisher, which went 15-1 against Empire 8 competition, secured the Empire 8 Regular Season title and would go on to claim its eighth Empire 8 Championship since 2000 along with its 15th appearance in the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship.
Prior to his time at Fisher, Grosodonia transformed what had traditionally been a good program at Aquinas into a perennial powerhouse in a short period of time. While patrolling the sidelines, Grosodonia won nearly 200 games (194-38) and boasted a career winning percentage of .836. Under his guidance, Aquinas captured the 2016 New York State Public High School Athletic Association State title for the first time in team history.
During his tenure, Grosodonia won six Section V titles and made four trips to the State Final Four. He was named the All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year twice and would go on to be named the Class AA Coach of the Year as well.
Grosodonia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from The College at Brockport and would go to obtain a Master’s degree in Special Education from Roberts Wesleyan College.
