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Napolitano to coach Crusaders softball

Posted on Oct 06, 2005

Theresa Napolitano has been named Head Softball Coach at Lauralton Hall. Formerly head softball coach at Amity High School, Mrs. Napolitano replaces Tom McDonald who retired after coaching 19 years at the school.

“Theresa is the perfect choice for us,” stated Joe Tonelli, Director of Athletics.  “She is a member of our faculty, a great coach and a tremendous individual. Our girls will learn a lot about the game of softball as well as life in general from Coach “Nap.”

Theresa Napolitano coached the Amity Spartans for the past 16 years. Her reputation and success is incomparable. Under her direction, the Spartans won four CIAC State Championships, nine League Division Titles and six SCC League Championships. Napolitano has guided Amity to the last nine consecutive State Championship Final Games.

Napolitano’s personal coaching achievements are many. In 2004 she was named Connecticut High School Softball Coach of the Year and selected as a National High School Coach of the Year Finalist. She has been selected as the coach for the Connecticut Senior All-Star Game on five occasions.

Napolitano said that the move to Lauralton Hall will allow her a better connection with the players…both on the field and in the classroom.

Neil Swanchak, who has coached with Napolitano for the past 11 years, will join her at Lauralton Hall.  “Neil brings to the team a wealth of knowledge of the game in general and expertise in fundamentals and pitching in particular,” Napolitano said. 

Swanchak added, “It is our combined philosophy that in order for a team to play better than they ever played before, the players must be willing to practice harder than they ever practiced before.”  It’s not surprising that with this philosophy, the pair has reached the State Finals eight times together.

“Although this will be somewhat of a re-building year, I am confident that Theresa will have us continuing in our tradition of success,” Tonelli said.  “We are all looking forward to having Theresa as a member of our coaching staff.”



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