By Mike Candel June 6th, 2022
For a man who wasn't sure he wanted to teach physical education and coach baseball at Nassau Community College, Joe Dondero turned out to be extraordinary in both areas.
Joe was extremely happy teaching and coaching baseball at New Hyde Park High School early in his career. He wasn't looking for a new job. Purely by chance, at a softball game in Long Beach, Joe was approached by several members of the HPER department to see if he would be interested in replacing Bruce DuBois as Nassau's baseball coach. At the time, DuBois was both the physical education chairman and director of athletics. He had also been an extremely successful coach, guiding Nassau to its first national championships in baseball and soccer. A tough man to succeed.
Anyway, Joe Dondero's first reaction was not to apply for the job. But several Nassau coaches spent the post-softball game hours convincing him that this was a great opportunity at a very young college with lots of opportunity for advancement. Finally, he decided to change his mind and apply for the job opening.
Over the years, Joe often said how lucky he was to have changed his mind and come to Nassau. To say he distinguished himself would be an understatement. When he replaced DuBois as the HPER chairman, he spent the next three decades as an outstanding leader and a chairman willing to substantially broaden the spectrum of course offerings. He brought the department into its "Golden Era" at the college. By the time he retired, he had become a beloved, highly respected icon in the Physical Education Department. And not only in our department. He was universally respected across the campus. Indeed, because of his presence, the physical education department was respected across campus.
His coaching career was, by any standard, incredibly successful. His teams won numerous Regional and District championships, and made several appearances in the national junior college championship tournament. Because of his reputation, many outstanding local high school players chose to come to Nassau to play for Coach Dondero. He produced dozens of all-Region and all-American players, and took great pride in sending them to four-year colleges. He was especially successful in taking players who struggled academically in high school and getting them to work hard and succeed academically in college. He changed lives!!!
Joe Dondero was one of the people who helped Nassau Community College develop its physical education and athletics programs. He forged a wonderful legacy and will not be forgotten.
