Raymond Romero
Associate Head Baseball Coach
Ray Romero is entering his ninth season on the NSU Baseball coaching staff. He was promoted to the position of Associate Head Baseball Coach following the 2003 season. He also serves as the recruiting coordinator for the baseball program. Coach Romero brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Sharks with an expertise in the fundamentals, mechanics and thought process of pitching.
In 2008, Romero mentored Ruddy Garcia, a NCBWA All-South Region Team selection. Garcia proved to be the Sharks ace on the mound, going 8-2 with a 4.22 earned run average in 14 starts. He led the SSC with five wins in conference play. His 79 innings pitched and 61 strikeouts led the staff.
The Nova Southeastern University baseball team finished the 2007 season with a 36-19 record, marking the teams most victories in a season since joining the NCAA and the most wins in a season over the past 10 years for the baseball program. The 2007 Sharks set multiple program records including a 12-game winning streak and an 18-game home winning streak. NSU began the season 25-4, which stands as the best start in program history, and tied the programs highest national ranking as they rose to as high as 13th in the Collegiate News National Poll.
In 2006, the NSU baseball team posted a program-best 33-19 NCAA mark, including a third-place finish in the Sunshine State Conference with a 14-10 record in league play. The two teams that finished ahead of NSU in the standings were this seasons NCAA DII National Champions University of Tampa and defending NCAA DII National Champions Florida Southern College.
The Sharks have had a pitcher chosen in each of the past three MLB Drafts as LHP Antony Bello signed with the Houston Astros after being selected in the 21st round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. RHP Derek Antelo signed after being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round of the 2005 Draft and RHP Giuseppe Norrito signed after being picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 48th round of MLBs 2004 First-Year Player Draft.
Since joining the NCAA five years ago, the Sharks have averaged over 30 wins per season and have consistently been ranked in the top 25 nationally.
Quality pitching has been a constant under the direction of Coach Romero, as Bello (2006), Antelo (2005) and Kyle Ruwe (2003) each were named All-Americans by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Ray came from Chaminade-Madonna along with head coach Mike Mominey in 2000. He coached there from 1993-2000 helping in the teams impressive successes including their 88-26 record from 1996-200 and a number two state ranking in 1998. Overall, the team won three district championships and was regional runner-up.
Prior to his successes at Chaminade, Romero coached at the Miramar Optimist Club from 1981-90, where his teams collected two Broward County and two state championships. Ray has been an active member in the South Florida baseball community running hundreds of free baseball clinics for high school players where he concentrated on the fundamentals of pitching, hitting, fielding, and catching.
Ray feels proud for the many successes these players have enjoyed in high school and college baseball, where they have excelled both athletically and academically. Three of Rays former high school pitchers have also been drafted. He states, I think my greatest accomplishment was taking advantage of the opportunity to help these young men realize their dreams.
Ray prides himself in being an upbeat person and believes that hard work and commitment to excellence will breed success. I strongly urge all of you NSU baseball fans to come out and lend your support. I promise we will be very exciting to watch this year.
Ray resides in West Palm Beach with his wife, Cynthia.
