Assistant Head Coach Mike Lusardi is in his first season with the Firestorm. Along with his baseball duties, Coach Lusardi serves as the Associate Athletic Director of Advancement spearheading the fundraising efforts of the ACU athletic department.
Prior to coming to Arizona Christian, Lusardi spent the 2015 season as the bench coach at former GSAC foe Biola University for Coach Jay Sullenger. In 2013-14, he served as the recruiting coordinator and director of baseball operations at GSAC foe San Diego Christian College for Coach Chris Bando. The Hawks won their first GSAC championship and advanced to the NAIA Baseball World Series in 2014. Three SDCC players recruited by Lusardi earned All-American honors (most in NAIA in 2014) while four sign professional contracts.
Coach Lusardi’s passion has always been spreading the gospel through sports- especially baseball. From 1981-2003, Lusardi worked with Athletes in Action which included serving at Auburn University and spread to overseeing the sports ministries of six SEC schools (1981-87). In 1987, a move to Kansas City resulted in Lusardi serving as the Chaplain for the Kansas City Royals (1989-2007) and the Kansas City Chiefs (1989-2001). In 2003, he joined up with Fellowship of Christian Athletes to launch the Sports Specific Ministry of Baseball. He worked as the FCA Executive Director of Baseball until 2007.
Before returning to coaching, Coach Lusardi founded Midwest Sports Advisors (recruiting service) and LS Sports Management.
As a player, Lusardi was three time all-state pitcher/outfielder in his native New Jersey and advanced to the state championships three straight years. His 58 consecutive scoreless innings pitched still stands as the New Jersey high school record. He became a two time all-conference player for the University of Wyoming. Lusardi played two summers in the Cape Cod League.
Academically, he earned a physical education degree from the University of Wyoming in 1979.
Coach Lusardi has been married to his wife Debbie since 1982. They have three grown children- Stephanie, Allie, and Jeff (who played baseball at Arizona State). The Lusardi family resides in Mesa, AZ.
