Following an illustrious coaching career of over 800 career wins, which included three decades at Central Connecticut State University, baseball head coach Charlie Hickey has announced his retirement from collegiate baseball.
"I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to spend 27 seasons coaching a game I love at a school as special as Central Connecticut," Hickey said. "I owe a great deal of thanks to (former Director of Athletics) CJ Jones for giving me the opportunity to come here and his continuing support of athletics at CCSU has been extremely special. I also have to thank Dr. Toro, Sal Cintorino and Tom Pincince for their backing and support of this program. I have been fortunate for the selfless contributions of so many talented student-athletes, assistant coaches and support staff who made it possible for this program to win championships."
HEAD COACH CHARLIE HICKEY – PHOTOS THROUGH THE YEARS
HICKEY'S CAREER AT-A-GLANCE
"We are extremely proud of Coach Hickey," said Central President, Dr. Zulma Toro. "He has had a remarkable career. Finishing as the winningest coach in program history! The lives of many athletes have been changed for the better because Coach Hickey took the time to be present and guide the students. Congratulations and best wishes for a joyful retirement!"
Hickey's 27-year run at CCSU had 712 wins, nine NEC titles with corresponding appearances in the NCAA Tournament, along with six NEC Coach of the Year honors. Among his career milestone victories, Hickey notched his 500th win at Central when the Blue Devils won the 2017 NEC Tournament with a victory over Sacred Heart.
A model of consistency in the NEC, Hickey guided the Blue Devils to a league-high nine NEC Tournament titles and his program won 25 or more games 19 times and won 30 or more games in nine seasons. His 2004 squad set NEC and CCSU records for wins and win percentage (41-17-1, .703), while the 2023 team went 25-5 (.833) in NEC play – the sixth-best win percentage in league annals. Hickey steered the Blue Devils to a league-high 20 NEC Tournament appearances, compiling a 43-28 record.
"I extend my congratulations to Charlie on his retirement after a tremendously successful career," said Tom Pincince, Director of Athletics. "Coach Hickey's legacy extends well outside the foul lines. He has made a lasting impact on the lives of the student-athletes that he has mentored as players and people. And he has provided that same impact on those of us who have worked alongside him. I wish him a long and happy retirement."
Hickey guided CCSU to NCAA Tournaments in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025. In 2010, CCSU hit a program-best .341 as a team, which ranked 12th nationally and in 2019 he guided the program to unprecedented heights when they defeated 24th-ranked Cal, 7-4, in the NCAA Tournament for the Blue Devils' first win in the national tournament.
An accomplished developer of talent, Hickey had a total of 17 of his former players selected in the MLB Draft, including eight during his time at Central Connecticut. Evan Scribner, a 2007 selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks, made it to the "show" and played for three teams from 2011-17.
He mentored 110 All-NEC honorees, which included four NEC Player of the Year and four NEC Rookie of the Year selections. Furthermore, nine of his former players were named NEC Tournament MVP. In 2002, Justin Cerbone led the NCAA with a 1.35 earned run average, while Aidan Redahan led the country in batting in 2025 with a .455 average.
Additionally, 11 Blue Devils earned All-America honors since 1999, while Hickey was recognized as the ABCA/Diamond NCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 2004. He developed 16 NEIBA All-New England choices, 12 ABCA All-Region selections and seven All-ECAC picks. Following the 2026 season, Hickey was named the winner of the NEIBA Butterfield Award, for "integrity and dedication to the game of college baseball."
Prior to arriving in New Britain, Hickey enjoyed an immensely successful three-season run as head coach at Providence College from 1997-99 where he guided the squad to a 106-61-1 record. He was named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year in 1999 after leading PC to a New England-record 49 wins and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Hickey began his coaching career as a pitching coach with the Friars from 1992-96, and during his tenure was part of three NCAA Tournament berths, a pair of BIG EAST Tournament titles and mentored nine MLB Draft Picks, including Keith Reid who was a first-round selection in 1999. He also coached three league Player of the Year, two Pitcher of the Year and two Rookie of the Year honorees, along with a total of 27 all-conference selections.
CCSU is expected to name a successor in the near future.