What did Mr. Czerwinski call it? An appetizer, maybe this will serve as a side dish. I have completed and updated the softball coaching victories list heading into this spring. Some interesting milestones ahead.
As always, my disclaimer….these are based on a lot of my own research and coaches win lists. Am I missing some people? Sure, I keep a list of those people too (I’m talking about you Mr. Taliaferro), but I am limited in how far I can research in our Record computer database. I would love to get everyone with at least over 200 wins on the list.
So what is looming this year? Actually, a few big things. Tom Eagleson at North Bergen needs 17 wins to pass Dransfield (still cant believe he retired) to become the North Jersey leader. H needs 29 wins to get to 500….and he could very well do it with the team he has this year, it could even be in Toms River. Darren White needs 30 to get to 400 at Saddle Brook, that would be huge for him.
Pequannock coach Maryann Goodwin just needs 4 more to reach 300, I seem to remember her being really close last year. I think that number is correct. Brian Hay of Paramus needs 11 for 200, Karyn A needs 17 for 200 at Pompton Lakes. Mondo is now at St. Mary and he needs 20 wins to get to 200. I was on the phone with him the other day. It will be weird seeing him in Gael blue instead of Emerson red, and I hear he has the one and only John Follo as an assistant coach. I miss John, I’ll never forget the time I spent with him in prison….yes, thats not a misprint.
My favorite though is Richie Aponte, who has 221 wins total in softball counting his wins in Hudson County, but what he really cares about is getting his 200th win at Teaneck. He made that point to me specifically. He needs 1 win to get that. I will also keep my eye out for anyone closing in on 100, there have to be some out there.
Here is the list….
SB Coaching Victories
In North Jersey – heading into 2012 season
Jim Dransfield, West Milford (retired) 541
Tom Eagleson, North Bergen (active) 524
Jeff Horohonich, IHA/Elmwood Park/IC (active) 471
Rich LaDuke, Clifton (retired) 470
Debbie Paul, Ridgewood (retired) 463
Suzanne Murden, Queen of Peace (retired) 441
Frank Baldino, Ramsey/Park Ridge/Paramus Catholic (active) 439
Brenda Canal, River Dell (retired) 408
John Galante, North Arlington (active) 401
Paula LaSalandra, DePaul (retired) 391
Frank Venezia, St. Mary (retired) 379
Jack Weaver, Paramus/Emerson (retired) 378
Darren White, Saddle Brook (active) 370
Leslie Stephen, Ramapo/Hawthorne (active) 368
Craig Nielsen, Pascack Valley/Mahwah (active) 346
Barbara Barlow, Emerson (deceased) 321
Joe Leicht, Indian Hills (active) 314
Maryann Goodwin, Wayne Hills/Pequannock 296
Jack Smithlin, Fair Lawn/Park Ridge (retired) 285
Ron Merrill, Cliffside Park (retired) 251
Sue Liddy, Holy Angels, (active) 233
Maureen Fister-Donatien, Midland Park (retired) 231
Tina Salute, Paramus (retired) 226 * – unofficial
Ralph Lilore, Lyndhurst (retired) 216
Anthony LaRezza, IHA, 213
Other (active coaches)
Richie Aponte, Teaneck, 199 (221 total)
Brian Hay, Paramus 189
Karyn Albanesius, Pompton Lakes, 183
Mondo, Emerson/St.Mary, 180
Melissa Landeck, Old Tappan, 157
Patti Auger, Ridgewood, 109
Frank Dawson, Garfield, 107
Kelly Dowell, Glen Rock, 105
Lynn Shortway, Hawthorne, 102
Mike Garibell, River Dell, 101
Megan Williams, Tenafly, 100
Dwight Hall, Becton, 85