LANCASTER, Pa. - The Atlantic East Conference is pleased to continue the Alumni Spotlight Series, where it celebrates the remarkable achievements and inspiring journeys of former student-athletes who once proudly represented our member institutions. These individuals have continued in the athletics field, showcasing exceptional dedication, and bringing honor to both their alma maters and the league.  

Through hard work, resilience, and the values they cultivated during their time as student-athletes, our featured alumni continue to exemplify the core principles of the Atlantic East. Join us as we highlight their stories, share their accomplishments, and explore how their experiences as student-athletes helped shape their careers and communities. Our third spotlight features two baseball student athletes from Neumann that now coach together at Rowan College of South Jersey - Cumberland 

Name: Joey Gorman
Sport: Baseball
Graduation Year: 2017 M.S. Sports Business
Current Role:  Head Baseball Coach & Athletics Senior Supervisor with Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland

Describe your current job and your connection to sports?
As a head college baseball coach, I am responsible for leading and managing every aspect of a collegiate baseball program. This includes team operations, player development, and overall program success. My primary roles involve recruiting, training, and mentoring student-athletes, ensuring they excel both on the field and in the classroom. Scouting and recruiting the right talent—players who fit our program’s needs, philosophy, and academic standards—is a critical part of the job.

Our coaching staff designs and executes practice plans, develops game strategies, and makes in-game decisions that put us in the best position to win. Beyond coaching, I oversee assistant coaches, work closely with our athletic trainer and support staff, and delegate responsibilities to maintain an effective and cohesive team environment.

Administrative duties such as budgeting, scheduling, travel coordination, and ensuring NJCAA compliance are also integral parts of the role. Additionally, we foster a culture of discipline, teamwork, and accountability, emphasizing character development alongside athletic growth. We take pride in our role in the academic success of our players, guiding them to meet eligibility requirements and transition to four-year schools. Our program is deeply connected to the community, and we actively engage in youth mentorship and local initiatives.

What makes coaching important to you?
Coaching provides a unique platform to positively impact lives. Believing in others and focusing on their strengths can be life-changing. The ability to inspire, mentor, and help young athletes grow into responsible individuals is what makes coaching so meaningful.

Best memory at Neumann?
Our spring break trip to Florida. I had just joined the team that spring, so it was one of the first times my teammates truly got to know me. That trip not only deepened our bonds but also led to friendships that remain some of the most meaningful in my life. It was the beginning of an unforgettable journey.

How has mentorship influenced your transition into professional practice?
Mentorship has been the most impactful part of my career in athletics. Countless people have taken the time to answer my questions, share their experiences, and guide me along the way.

As coaches, we often teach from our past experiences, and the mentors who have kept their doors open to me have provided invaluable insight. Their willingness to share their knowledge and experiences has shaped my journey, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.

Can you describe a challenge you faced during your transition and how you handled it?
One of the biggest challenges, not just for me but for many coaches, is the financial reality of the profession. Coaching isn’t about the money—we do it for the love of the game and the opportunity to help young athletes grow. However, the reality is that many coaches struggle to make ends meet, with many positions being stipend-based or volunteer roles.

There were times I questioned whether I could afford to continue pursuing coaching. Fortunately, I had a strong support system that helped me stay the course. I’m now a full-time employee, but I understand the struggles that many coaches face. I wouldn’t say I “handled” the situation—I just persevered, like so many coaches before me.

What has it been like coaching with a former college teammate?
I met Marty when I was a fifth-year player working on my master’s degree, and he was a freshman. The age gap made him feel like a younger brother to me. Watching him grow and develop—both as a person and as a coach—has been special. It’s a dream for many to coach alongside a friend, and I’m grateful for that opportunity.

I still remember my senior day at Neumann. After the game, it hit me that my playing days were coming to an end, and what hurt even more was the thought that I might never share the field with some of my teammates again. Now, coaching alongside Marty and seeing one of my closest friends, David Alvarez, coaching at Neumann is something I cherish.

Describe your current job and your connection to sports?
Honestly, nothing. Every experience—both good and bad—has led me to where I am today. I believe in embracing failure and using it as an opportunity to grow. Mistakes have taught me to adapt, see things from different perspectives, and learn valuable lessons.

For me, it has never been about winning or losing—it’s about winning or learning. The journey, with all its ups and downs, is what makes today special. I’m grateful for every step along the way.

What do you look back on most from your time at Neumann?
The people. At Neumann, I never had to be anyone other than myself. That support system—coaches, teammates, faculty, and administration—lifted me up during a tough time in my life. Their belief in me changed everything, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

Where do you see yourself in the future?
I struggle with this question because, while we all have aspirations, I’ve learned the importance of being present. It’s easy to get caught up in chasing the next goal and lose sight of the people and opportunities right in front of us.

“Man plans, and God laughs.”

Right now, I focus on making a positive impact on the people I encounter each day. If I continue to help others and pursue a profession that allows me to do so—whether in baseball or another capacity—I’ll be more than grateful.

Name: Marty Cortellessa
Sport: Baseball
Graduation Year: 2021 & 2023
Current Role: Assistant Baseball Coach with Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland

Tell us about yourself: 
My name is Marty Cortellessa. I played baseball at Neumann University for 5 seasons from 2018-2022. I graduated from the University with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management in 2021 and a Masters degree in Sport Business in 2023. I’m currently the Operations Manager for the Philadelphia Stars and Anderson Monarchs organization. Additionally, I’m an Assistant Baseball Coach with Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland. 

Describe your current job and your connection to sports?
With the Philadelphia Stars and Anderson Monarchs organization, I’m in charge of the day to day operations of their baseball programs. I help organize facilities, communicate with coaches, players and parents and do a lot of behind the scenes work to help our program thrive. I also get to coach the 17u Philadelphia Stars baseball team. 

As an assistant coach at RCSJ-Cumberland, I help with offensive game planning, outfield defense and baserunning. I also get to assist in recruiting, fundraising and practice plan structure. 

What makes coaching important to you?
Coaching is important to me because it gives me the chance to pay forward the opportunities that baseball gave me. From the youth level all the way through college, baseball taught me valuable life lessons that I’ve carried with me even after I was finished playing. Baseball was the vehicle that taught me work ethic, the spirit of competition, how to face adversity, what it’s like to be a member of a team and the opportunity to make lifelong friends. Helping athletes of all ages strive to be their best self, while also giving them the ability to see beyond the game makes coaching important to me. 
                                                                                            
Best memory at Neumann? 
My favorite memory at Neumann was my Freshman season. It was during this year that I felt like I was a small piece in something that was bigger than myself. Not only was that season our most successful on the field but it was also the tightest knit group that we had. I’ll never forget heading down to Florida for our season opening trip and taking batting practice before our first game. It was a perfect February day in Florida and getting to shag fly balls while the sun set was like being in heaven. That year I learned so much from our upperclassmen and also met many of my best friends.

How has mentorship influenced your transition into professional practice?
Mentorship has been extremely important to me during my transition into professional practice. I never realized how much I relied on baseball to get me through some of the challenges life throws your way until it was gone. Two mentors and former teammates that really helped me navigate through the transition period were Joey Gorman and David Alvarez. Both of them went through this stage of life before me and always were there for me when I needed support. Not only this, they also opened my eyes to the opportunities in the sport that exist once your playing career is over. 

Can you describe a situation during your transition where you felt challenged, and how did you handle it?
After my final baseball season I started a fully remote sales position that was my first experience being a full time working professional. I was in this position for almost a year and actually moved to a new city during this time. On the outside it had seemed like I was having success in my first step post my career. On the inside, I felt like I had lost a lot of what made me, me. Towards the end of my time in this role I was given my first opportunity to coach for the Philadelphia Stars organization and it was really the spark I needed. For me, coaching helped me get through some of the challenges I faced during my transition period.

What has it been like coaching with a college teammate? 
Having the opportunity to coach with a college teammate has been an awesome experience. As I mentioned earlier, Joey has been a mentor to me in so many ways. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned during my time coaching for Joey is the work ethic that is required to achieve a dream. Joey’s relentless work ethic and day to day drive to get to where he wants to be is second to none. His ability to connect with others and unify a group of people has also been incredible to witness first hand. Joey has given me so many opportunities in coaching and being able to coach with him is something I cherish!

What is one thing that you would have done differently?
It’s hard to say I’d do anything differently. I was so fortunate to have the experience I did at Neumann and in the couple of years that have followed. I did meet my current girlfriend during my last semester at Neumann, if I could go back maybe I’d ask her out sooner!

What do you look back on most for your time at Neumann?
Hands down, I look back on the time I got to spend with my friends while at Neumann the most. Playing a sport in college, you face so many ups and downs as a team. I think striving for a common goal as not only teammates but as friends, strengthened our bond in ways that maybe the average college student doesn’t experience. The mutual experiences at the field or the house are memories I look back on the most.

Where do you see yourself in the future? 
Hopefully I’m still getting the opportunity to pass on my experiences to the next generation. Each time I get to go down to the field or facility as a coach I still feel like I’m going to my happy place. Now as a coach, I hope to make an impact on this generation like my coaches made on me. 

Past Spotlights: 
Pratt Institute: Ava Hunwick
Marymount: Natalie Garbalosa
Neumann Cortellessa & Joey Gorman

ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising seven institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary University in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York. 
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