Arrigoni Hall of Fame
Sam De Rosa has served Iona University for more than 40 years, leading the Gaels’ Sports Medicine program for 35 years while holding the titles of Head Athletic Trainer, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, and, at the time of his induction, Athletic Trainer Emeritus. A trusted and enduring figure in Iona Athletics, De Rosa has had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of student-athletes through his unwavering dedication to their health, safety, and success.
Beginning his career in 1984 as a part-time assistant under legendary head trainer J.B. Buono, De Rosa quickly became a cornerstone of Iona’s athletics operation. Promoted to head athletic trainer in 1999, he went on to expand the program significantly—both in staff and in scope. He helped oversee the growth of the department’s physical footprint, including the design and development of sports medicine facilities in both the Hynes Athletics Center and the Meyer Athletic Center on Iona’s Bronxville campus.
Over the course of his distinguished tenure, De Rosa also served as a senior athletics administrator and trusted advisor to the director of athletics. He was sport supervisor for the swimming & diving and water polo programs for nearly a decade and, as the athletic trainer for the men’s basketball team, was on the bench for nine MAAC Championship runs, contributing behind the scenes to some of the most successful eras in program history.
In addition to his work at Iona, De Rosa served as athletic trainer for the Westchester Stallions of the United States Basketball League in 1993 and with the Senior Tennis Association in 1994. A certified member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, he has mentored countless future physical therapists and certified athletic trainers who began their careers under his guidance at Iona.
A proud Gael, De Rosa is the father of Samantha ’19MA and Joe ’18, the latter a four-year standout on the Gaels’ baseball team and an All-MAAC Second Team pitcher in 2016.
