Pardalis Earns Connecticut Hall Of Fame Honors

Plantsville, CT - Manhattan softball Head Coach Tom Pardalis was inducted into the Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame Sunday, May 19. Pardalis, who recently completed his 10th year at the helm of the Manhattan program, was recognized as the 2019 College Coach Inductee during the organization's 30th annual banquet at Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. 

Pardalis, a Connecticut resident, has led Manhattan College to seven seasons with at least 25 victories, including the squad's first 30-win season in 23 years (2016). Manhattan has also made seven appearances in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament during his tenure, reaching the championship game in 2014.  

Manhattan players have combined to earn more than 30 All-MAAC selections under Pardalis' leadership, including unanimous 2015 Player of the Year selection Elena Bowman. This season, three players earned MAAC postseason honors, including Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Pitney, the first Jasper to receive the award. Pitney and freshman Annie Moore both earned NFCA All-Region recognition this postseason, as well. In addition, Pardalis' student-athletes have found success in the classroom, earning a total of 74 MAAC All-Academic selections. 

A 40-year coaching veteran, Pardalis worked as an assistant at Western Connecticut State University, helping the Colonials win the 2007 ECAC Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2008. Pardalis also served as an assistant coach at MAAC rival Marist for three seasons. He worked with the Red Foxes' hitters and outfielders, while also handling duties in recruiting, film work and scheduling.

From 1992-2001, Pardalis was the head coach of the varsity softball team at New Fairfield High School in New Fairfield, CT. New Fairfield won the 1999 Connecticut State Championship and produced six Division I softball players. Pardalis led the Rebels to four straight division championships (1993-96) and twice earned conference Coach of the Year honors (1994-95).

He also guided three different club teams to the PONY Nationals. In 1997, he led the Connecticut Legacy to the state championship and a fifth-place finish at the PONY Nationals in the under-14 division. He also led the under-16 Connecticut Crush to Nationals in 1998, and the under-18 Connecticut Tradition to the 1999 PONY Nationals. 

Pardalis spent 37 years teaching physical education and coaching in the Connecticut Public School system before retiring following the 2008-09 school year. He has also coached football, basketball and baseball during his career, and he was the varsity boy's basketball coach at Danbury High School from 1996-2009. Pardalis spent time as an assistant men's basketball coach at Western Connecticut State from 1992-96, helping the Colonials win the 1995 ECAC Championship and qualify for the 1996 NCAA Tournament.