Mount Saint Mary College Athletics

Thomas Di Leo, local product from Newburgh, had a standout career in the pool for the Knights that featured a Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year Award, a Skyline Conference Swimmer of the Year honor and a pair of school records.

Di Leo was named a team captain as a senior during the 2008-09 campaign and set the 200-yard butterfly record as a freshman on his way to being named the league’s Rookie of the Year. Di Leo went on to set the 1,650-yard freestyle record as a sophomore, a mark of 17:57.93 that still stands, and as a senior was the individual champion in the 500-yard and 1,000-yard freestyle events at the conference championship meet on his way to being named Skyline Co-Swimmer of the Year.

In addition to his individual accolades, Di Leo also made his mark in relay events for the Knights. He was a member of 12 record setting relay teams at the Mount, including the 200 and 400-yard freestyle events and the 200 and 400-yard medley teams as a senior.

After he graduated from Mount Saint Mary, Di Leo graduated SUNY New Paltz with a Masters in Secondary Education and History and began teaching Special Education at Monroe-Woodbury High School (2009-2010). After a wonderful year at MWHS, he began teaching social studies at Nyack High School and in the summer of 2016, he was appointed Social Studies Department Chairperson for the Nyack Public Schools.

Thomas lists breaking the school records in the 200 butterfly and 1,650 freestyle as two of his proudest moments as a student-athlete, along with swimming all four years and earning Skyline Conference recognition. He also fondly recalls always smelling like chlorine, bus trips and the sense of family among his teammates.

“Being a student-athlete taught me to have empathy for my students in my classes that are athletes because I know how difficult time-management is during the season. It also taught me the importance of physical fitness and taking care of your health.”