FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of Norwich Athletics Communications

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Norwich University assistant baseball coach Frank Pecora has been promoted to head baseball coach, as announced by Athletic Director Tony Mariano on Tuesday.

“I’m glad Norwich is making a commitment to a full-time baseball coach,” Pecora said, “I enjoyed my time as an assistant coach working with John (Rhoades) and Kevin (Ryan), and now I look forward to working in a different capacity. I think we made some progress this season and I will look to keep the progress going.”

Pecora becomes the 19th head coach to the lead the program since the NCAA recognized it in 1922. 

“Frank Pecora brings decades of experience to our baseball program as one of the most successful high school baseball coaches in the State of Vermont.” Mariano said,  “Frank has been an assistant coach for Norwich for the past three years and has done an outstanding job in helping to create a professional environment to our program.  Our student athletes will benefit a great deal from Frank’s leadership and I am excited to have Frank as our head baseball coach and look forward to great success in the near future.”

Pecora replaces John Rhoades, who served as head coach for 10 seasons at Norwich and compiled an overall record of 56-236-1. Rhodes will remain on staff as an assistant baseball and football coach.

Pecora is best known for his tenure at Northfield High School where he served as head coach for 38 years. He led the Marauders to 19 state championship games, winning 15, including five in a row from 1997 to 2001. Pecora posted an astounding 488-157-1 record at NHS.

Pecora also became the first Vermont coach to be inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 2014. He also served as the Athletic Director at Northfield, President of the Vermont State Athletic Directors Association, and was inducted into the Vermont Principal’s Association (VPA) Hall Of Fame in 2012.

Coach Pecora is no stranger to three of his players as rising senior Billy Whaley and rising juniors Brandon Pedley and Kyle Lamorey played for Pecora at NHS.

The Cadets will resume action in September for offseason workouts, captain’s practices and a round-robin scrimmage day on Sept. 19. The tourney will consist of UVM’s club team, Saint Michael’s varsity team and another team to be named later.

On the round-robin tourney Pecora added, “It will be hopefully 18 innings of baseball where we can pick the team and see who is able to play for us in the spring.”