Hawks Name Marchese As New Head Softball Coach

NEW PALTZ, NY- SUNY New Paltz Athletic Director, Stuart Robinson, has announced the hiring of Denise Marchese as the new softball coach. 

“At every stop in her career, Denise has been successful.  We are looking forward to her sharing her knowledge and her passion for softball with our student-athletes.  With her leadership and our student-athletes’ work ethic, I am excited for the future of our women’s softball program” stated Robinson.

Marchese joins the New Paltz staff from Division I Central Connecticut State, where she spent the last four years as the assistant coach.  Her primary focus was working with the hitters, infielders, catchers and was the strength and conditioning coach. 

In 2004, she guided Oneonta to a 28-16 record and an appearance in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.  Marchese and Oneonta won the SUNYAC Conference title in 2004.  In her three years at Oneonta, Marchese posted a 76-44-1 record.

Prior to Oneonta, Marchese spent four years as the head coach at St. Joseph’s in West Hartford, Connecticut.  She led St. Joseph’s to a 73-45 record and earned Great North Atlantic Conference (GNAC) champion and GNAC Coach of the Year accolades.  St. Joseph’s was 27-9 and earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

She is 1995 graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.  She was a four-year starter at first base on three NCAA Division III Tournament-qualifying teams.  As a freshman, she started 35 games for the national runner-up Warriors.  She is the current New England record holder for career putouts (936) and career fielding chances (1,029).  She won three straight Gold Glove Awards while registering a .983 career fielding percentage.

Marchese received her master’s degree in physical education and exercise science from Central Connecticut State University in 2004.  She has worked with Louisville Slugger TPS sponsored camps for college showcase recruits, along with other elite softball camps throughout the summer.