(Gilbert, AZ) The Park University Gilbert Softball coaching staff has won multiple awards in 2023 already, now they are bringing home one of the most prestigious awards in the country as it has won the ATEC/NFCA NAIA National Coaching Staff of the Year Award. The national coaching staff of the year award is voted on by the member head coaches of the NFCA’s NAIA membership group.
Representing Region IV, Park Gilbert had already been honored with region coaching staff of the year kudos at the beginning of this month. The Buccaneers were up against five other staffs which feature numerous team who made it to the NAIA Softball World Series. Those included Georgia Gwinnett College (Region I), Our Lady of the Lake University (Region II), Midland University (Region III), Baker University (Region V) and University of the Cumberlands (Region VI).
Head coach Brandon Telesco and assistant Marisa Stankiewicz will be recognized at the NFCA Awards Brunch on Dec. 9 at the 2023 NFCA Convention in Louisville.
This is the first national award for a Park Gilbert coach or staff. The school having just completed its fourth season in existence, the Buccaneers have had an honorable mention All-America and its volleyball team has been to the national tournament the past two seasons.
Telesco’s charges rewrote the record book during the 2023 campaign, posting a 36-14 record overall and a 22-6 mark in California Pacific Conference play. The Bucs finished second in the conference and made the conference tournament semifinals.
The 36 wins was a school record and surpassed the number of wins the program had accumulated overall in its first three seasons as a program. Telesco, in his first season as head coach was selected as the Cal Pac Coach of the Year and the Bucs had two first-team all-conference players in pitcher Abril Nerey and designated player Danielle Farinas. Five players (Gabby Romero, Carolina Olivas, Ledezma Romero, Raylissa Garcia and Sierra Meyers) were named honorable mention all-conference and two players (Ledezma Romero and Natalie Castro) were tabbed for the all-defensive team.
As a team, the Buccaneers set new school records in just about every offensive category. They set new records for At Bats (1404, previous record 1154), runs (287, 152), hits (425, 316), doubles, (75, 63), triples (13, 12), home runs (22, 7), RBI (250, 139) walks (120, 83), sacrifice bunts (32, 28) and stolen bases (103, 23).
They also set records in the circle as well with new high marks in strikeouts (184), innings pitched (347.0) and team ERA (2.80).
“Honored and humbled,” said Telesco. “I don’t feel like we deserve this prestigious award but we are beyond grateful for our players. This award was because of them.”
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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