Baseball
Tom played three years of Varsity Baseball for the Crusaders and starred over a three-year period in the McClancy basketball program under Hall of Fame coach Jim Murphy and Jack Bergen. Under the tutelage of these great men, one learned a great deal about the game and even more about life.
Tom is considered by some to be one of the premier McClancy pitchers of the 1960s along with Hall of Famers Bob Kelly ’62 and Stan Babieracki ’65. His senior season was extraordinary starting with a 4-3 complete game victory over league champion, Chaminade and followed that with a no hitter against archrival Holy Cross. Tom’s senior year record was 6-1, which accounted for two thirds of the teams wins. His only loss was a 1-0 one hit loss to City Champion, Archbishop Molloy. He was named First Team All-Queens by the Long Island Press and the Tablet and second team All-City by the New York Journal American.
Upon graduation from McClancy, Tom received a Division I Baseball/Basketball scholarship to St. Francis College where he played both sports for three years. He was a mainstay on the 1966 Knickerbocker Conference Championship team. Tom later went on to coach baseball at St. Francis College for two years.
Tom joined the Nassau County Police Department in 1969, and after three years as a patrolman, he would find his calling. He spent the next 17 years overseeing the Manhasset Police Boys Club, responsible for coordinating all of the youth services and sports in the community. He also spent seven years coaching basketball at St. Mary’s High School, winning five league championships on three different levels. In addition, Manhasset High School benefited from Tom’s experience with the PBC by having him coach lacrosse for seven years. Many of Tom’s players are currently playing Major League Lacrosse and represent the U.S. on the world lacrosse championship team.
Tom is married to his high school sweetheart, Marilyn. the Raleighs have five children, Tom Jr., Brian, Katie, Kevin, and Kristie Erin, and three precious grandchildren Brianna, Tom III, and Anne Grace.