Mercy College Director of Athletics Patricia Kennedy announced today that Mike Fazio has been named the head coach for the Mavericks’ softball program. Fazio takes the reins after a two-year stint as an assistant coach. He will continue to serve as the head men’s and women’s cross country coach.

“Mike Fazio certainly is the right person to lead this program into the future,” Kennedy said. “He knows the game, knows our student-athletes, and provides continuity for the program.”

He takes charge of a team that saw 19 wins overall in 2010, including eight victories in the East Coast Conference. The 19 wins is three more than a year ago, and the highest number since 1985, when Mercy posted a 19-9 record.

Fazio came to Mercy College with over 25 years of softball coaching experience. Fazio's most recent position was at Joel Barlow High School (Redding, Conn.) where he was a varsity girls assistant softball coach. At Barlow he was responsible for running practices, assisting in strategic in-game decisions, recruiting and scheduling.

From 1996-2007, Fazio was the assistant coach at Danbury High School in Danbury, Conn., where he helped guide the Hatters to nine postseason appearances and twice reached the semi-finals in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC). He also was an assistant coach in Danbury's varsity girl’s basketball program.

Fazio has had success on travel tournament teams as well. He coached the U-14 Danbury Debs into the U-14 Pony National Tournament, guided the U-23 Danbury Debs to several tournament championships, and took the U-18 Western Connecticut Firebirds to two national tournament appearances. He also coached in the Danbury Women's Fast Pitch Softball League and captured a division or tournament championship in all but one season from 1980-1991.

He received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Iona College, and resides in Danbury, Conn., with his wife Carol.

-Provided by Mercy Sports Information department.