CCS ACADEMIC &
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
Tommy Cannella
CCS CEO, College Placement Consultant, Educator & Coach
Cannella earned his BA in Journalism from the Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in 2008 and a MA in Coaching and Athletic Administration with a Specialization in Exercise Science from Concordia University Irvine in 2015. Cannella's career in education began at Salesian HS in 2009, where he taught Journalism, American Civil Liberties and Physical Education. While at Salesian HS, Cannella coached Baseball and Bowling. Cannella spent two seasons as Queensborough CC hitting coach before becoming the first baseball head coach at the College of New Rochelle in 2017. While at CNR, Cannella was also the Director of Student Success at the main campus. From 2018 to 2021, Cannella was a History, English, Health teacher and the head coach of JV baseball at Saint Raymond's HS for Boys in the Bronx. Cannella has spent the better part of 13 years helping high school student-athletes find a college to attend, play baseball at and has recruited HS and JUCO athletes into every level of the NCAA.
Robert Gordian
CCS College Placement Consultant & Coach
Gordian has coached and consulted at all levels of baseball including the professional ranks for the better part of 35 years. Gordian's extensive playing career included being coached by legendary NYC coaches George Bodine, Buddy Paine and Burt Beagle. Gordian enjoyed very successful coaching campaigns at Salesian HS, Queensborough CC, Lehman College (ECAC championship 1996) and was the main recruiter for the College of New Rochelle's program which started in 2017. Gordian coached one season at Saint Raymond's HS for Boys before relocating back to Florida.
John "Jay" Butler
CCS College Placement Consultant
Butler has a wealth of knowledge and experience in collegiate athletics. He is presently the Director of Athletics at Cairn University in PA. Prior to Cairn, he served as the Director of Athletics at the College of Mt. St. Vincent and the College of New Rochelle.His coaching experience spans two decades working at all three NCAA divisions. As Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Butler worked at Columbia University, Hood College, St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Davis and Elkins College. As Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach, Butler worked at Brown University
and Centenary College of LA. Butler also coached Tennis at
Louisiana Tech University and Hood College. Butler served as the ministry director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as the coaches' ministry director in Ruston, LA. Butler graduated from Castleton State College in 1983, where he is also a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame, and earned a Masters of Exercise Physiology from the University of Maryland in 1986.
Jeanne Rapillo
CCS Special Education/IEP Instructor
Rapillo earned her BA in History from the College of the Holy Cross and her MA in Early Childhood from Boston College. Rapillo began her education career as a Kindergarten teacher in the Byram Hills School District. While raising four children, Rapilo became a substitute teacher at the elementary and high school in the Harrison School District, where she is currently employed. Known for her work with students with learning disabilities, Rapillo joins the CCS Academic staff with a specialty in developing organization and study skills for students with Individual Education Plans.
Roger Mischel
CCS Mental Conditioning Coach & Educator
A two-time All-American pitcher, Coach Roger's successful approach from his decorated playing days have played a key role in his transition to the current Manager of Queensborough Community College Baseball team. Under his guidance, Queensborough Community College captured consecutive CUNYAC championships and the Tigers are perennial contenders for the conference crown. Maximizing both physical and mental attributes to help develop a more complete athlete, Coach Roger has seen former players sign professional contracts with the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins. Always looking to expand upon his unique methods, Coach Roger has a Masters degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration with a Specialization in Exercise and Sports Science, and is also in the process of obtaining his Doctorate in Sports Psychology. Roger started PEGS Baseball, Training and Performance in 2016 and has instructed hundreds of youth baseball players at his winter clinics and summer camps held in the 5 boroughs of N.Y.C. and Long Island. He has instructed such notable organizations including H.B.Q.V.B. Athletic Association, Ozone Park/Howard Beach Little league, Bayside Little league and Diamond Spikes baseball.
Hannah Mitchell
CCS Nutrition Instructor
Mitchell is a professional Nutrition and Health Coach who earned her BS in Public Health from Temple University. Mitchell is NAFC certified and is currently employed by the NYDOE as School Food Service Manager. Mitchell has extensive experience creating nutrition classes for communities, public school students and customized meal plans for individuals. Mitchell is committed to helping others reach their nutrition, health and overall wellness goals. Mitchell will be available for private health/nutrition consultations, meal planning and preparation services and will be teaching CCS Nutrition classes to groups of student-athletes.
Anthony Piro
CCS Consultant & Coach
Piro graduated from Siena College in 2015 with a BA in History Education and earned a MS in Education from the College of New Rochelle in 2017. Piro has been teaching history at Salesian HS for the past four years. Piro has coached various levels of baseball for the past eight years and is currently the JV Baseball HC at Rye Neck High School.
Claudia Lamanno
CCS ESL/Spanish Instructor
Rich Raggo
CCS History Instructor
