On Monday night, the worst possible result of LaSalle Institute's appeal of its athletic program being barred from postseason play in the 2025-6 school year was handed down. The appeal was denied, meaning that, barring any further appeals, the school faces a 1 year virtual death penalty from postseason play.
Not good for a school, as the logo indicates, that had just finished its 175th anniversary season. School president Kevin Calacone is not taking this lying down.
"La Salle Institute has learned that our NYSPHSAA appeal to overturn the unfair and unfounded disciplinary actions of Section 2 has not been granted. We do not accept this decision or the related penalties, which we believe are disturbingly arbitrary. La Salle Institute will now take this matter to the New York State Commissioner of Education and, if needed, to the courts to overturn the ruling.
La Salle’s entire athletics program deeply values the tenets of true sportsmanship and fair play. As such, La Salle adamantly maintains that our baseball team was in full compliance with all regulations regarding a scrimmage on March 22, 2025, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. We believe the penalties reflect a bias against private schools and a blatant disregard of NYSPHSAA’s mission."
Calacone also took the time to announce that the school has hired Patrick Moran away from Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, where he'd been the principal the last 3 seasons, and the athletic director for 15 seasons before that, to take over the AD's job. Kevin Galuski, the brother of new head coach Mark Galuski, will be the assistant AD. Barring a miracle, 2025-6 will be a transitional year at LaSalle, which has already lost one of its star basketball players, amid rumors that a 2nd one could be headed out of town as well.
