Rutgers-Newark Athletics

Jason Celentano received the highest praise from a man who knew him best, his coach of four years of baseball at Rutgers-Newark, Tom Kaechele.

“Jason is the best four-year player I coached.” Said Kaechele.

Celentano was a four-year started and helped his team reach the NCAA regionals during his senior year after the Scarlet Raiders claimed the first ECAC Metro Championship in program history.

But the second baseman really came into his own during his senior year in 1994. The 5’9”, 165-pounder batted an eye opening .442 and racked up a 28-game hitting streak, fifth best in NCAA history. He was also an outstanding base runner. He stole 21 bases in 22 attempts.

Celentano was named to the New Jersey Athletic Conference first team after achieving second team honors in 1992 and 1993. He also was the first recipient of the Charlie Lau Award – The Art of Hitting recognition established to honor the famed major league batting coach. The award is a citation to a player who has grown over his career as an overall player and person.

And that aptly fit Celentano, who committed only one error in his senior year, and was involved in more than 30 double plays in his 28 games.

From the time Celentano starred at Clifton High, sparking a team that went 25-4, and throughout his college career, despite his amazing individual statistics, he has always been known as a team player.

Jason is presently working for TD Waterhouse in Beverly Hills, California, as a Branch Manager/Vice President managing a group of about 40 brokers who sell fixed income and Mutual Funds.