Joe Mazzuca joins the Cardinal coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2016 after playing for Coach Mathey at Northern Illinois University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2003.
During his senior year as a Huskie, Joe was named the team’s MVP while posting very impressive numbers and set multiple records within the program. He hit .357, racking up 76 hits, 13 doubles, 10 homeruns, 57 runs batted in, while slugging .587, setting program records for RBI and hits in a season, while leading the Huskies to the most wins in a single season. He was also selected to the All-MAC Tournament Team for the 2003 campaign. After his impressive senior season, Mazzuca was selected in the 12th round of the 2003 Major League Draft by the Florida Marlins.
After playing within the Marlins Minor League system for three years, he went overseas and has been playing professional baseball in Italy since 2006. While in Italy, Mazzuca has helped lead his teams to three Italian League Championships in 2009, 2012 and 2013. Immediately after moving to Italy, he was named to the Italian National Team in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2014.
In his off time back home, he runs his own hitting facility giving lessons and doing team training for youth baseball programs. He currently resides in Elmwood Park, Ill.
