Kathy Mangano, Massachusetts – 2011
For the past 22 years, Kathy Mangano has been a faculty member at her alma mater, Springfield College. As a teacher and coach in the physical education department, the many women she has been in contact with have had a strong impact on her life in many ways. She is proud both of the academic and athletic success of her softball program.
Academically her softball teams have received the NFCA “Girls Got Game” top ten all-academic team for NCAA Division III for 3 years. Her teams were the recipients of the Springfield College Pride Challenge Award for 4 years – an award to the team involvement in 6 categories: community service, grade point averages, athletes supporting athletes, team goals, PAAC involvement, and team enhancement. Along with these honors, the teams succeeded athletically making 6 NCAA tournament appearances, 3 NEWMAC regular and tournament championships, with three 30-wins and one 41-win seasons. With 481 wins, Kathy has more wins that any coach in the program’s history.
Honored as an All-American Softball Person in 1985, she was Coach of the Year 4 times, between 2000 and 2009. She was inducted into the Winchester High School Hall of Fame in 1999.