After 55 years of coaching, 50 coaching baseball, 47 as a Head Coach in the town of Northfield between the high school and Norwich University, Head Coach Frank Pecora has announced his retirement.
"I had the privilege of playing for Coach Pecora at Northfield High School, where he earned National Federation Hall of Fame induction for his remarkable 38-year baseball coaching career," said Norwich Director of Athletics, and former player Ed Hockenbury. "I am forever grateful for all he did for me as a young baseball player and as a person, and I have been honored to work with him these last 2 years at Norwich. There is no coach who is more passionate about his job, or who cares more about his athletes than Frank Pecora."Frank on field
A native of Baldwin, N.Y., Pecora (nicknamed "Guido") made the move from Nassau County, Long Island to Central Vermont at the urging of former Northfield High School coach Dan DiLena to teach physical education. As the years rolled on, he would become a science teacher on top of serving as the high school's Athletic Director and an illustrious career as the Head Baseball Coach. In 38 years coaching the Marauders, Pecora amassed a 488-135-1 record (.750 winning percentage) including 19 appearances in the state championship game, 15 of those resulting in state titles. On the Athletic Director side, he became Chair of the Vermont Principals Association (VPA) Baseball Committee, President, Vice President, Treasurer/Secretary of the Vermont State Athletic Directors Association (VSADA), and a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administration Association (NIAAA) Board of Directors. Those accomplishments earned Pecora enshrinement in the VPA Hall of Fame, and the first Vermont coach selected to the National Federation of High Schools Hall of Fame.
"Coach Pecora has been a constant and consistent cornerstone during my career in baseball, both as a coach, mentor, and leader," said former player and current Assistant Coach Billy Whaley '17. "He has guided and helped me during my development from player to coach. I owe so much to Guido, and I am forever grateful of what he has done for me, and for Vermont baseball during his 50-year career. He has impacted countless players and opposing coaches, teaching life lessons and maturity along the way. He holds himself and those around him to the highest standard and has earned the respect of the people he coaches with and against. I will continue to use him as a resource and mentor as I move forward in my career because his wealth of baseball knowledge, wisdom, and storytelling is unmatched. What he did for this game and for those who crossed his path during their time will always be cherished and I thank him for everything he has done for me. Congratulations Coach Pecora, your retirement is well deserved."
It was longtime football assistant and at the time Head Baseball Coach John Rhoades, who was urged by Norwich colleague Paul Booth, who brought Pecora from the high school level to the collegiate ranks in 2012 as an assistant. Three years later, with Rhoades focusing more on football, Pecora was named the program's 19th Head Coach.
While at Norwich, Pecora coached several players to All-Conference honors, while coaching the Cadets to some of their best seasons in recent memory highlighted by a six-game win streak in the Covid truncated 2021 season, and a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Coach of the Year nod in 2017.
"It has been an honor to play under the guidance and mentorship of Coach Pecora for four years," said senior captain Matt Ingraffia. "I would not be the pitcher, leader, or man I am today without his help. He has shown me what it means to be a team player who has a strong passion for the game and never gives up. His impact has not only affected me, but the teammates I've gotten to share the field with. I wish him the best of luck in retirement, and I cannot thank him enough for the love, patience and support he has given me. The lessons I've learned from coach Pecora will help me succeed in all aspects of my life long after leaving the hill."
The official job description for the Head Baseball Coach position states that it is a part-time job, but Pecora put in full-time hours and then some to raise the bar for Norwich Baseball in many ways between the student-athletes that are recruited, and massive upgrades to Garrity Field making it a facility the University can be proud of.Frank Retirement
"[I would like to thank] my wife Nelita. She has been my rock and best friend for allowing me to do this job, be away from home, and handle family issues while I was coaching and be an AD," Pecora said. "To my family-my kids Annemarie and Lynanne, my step kids Kelly, Kimberly, Roger, and Patrick-their spouse Joe, Sean, Suzy, and Nora and to my 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren We have a sign in our kitchen, 'we interrupt this family for the baseball season.' No truer words were ever written. To Tony Mariano and Ed Hockenbury for trusting me with the program. Paul Booth for recommending to John Rhoades, John Rhoades for being a good friend and strong ally. Mark Zacher and Bob Weggler for allowing me to vent when I needed to. Ashlynn Nuckols and Neal Anderson for their guidance when I had no idea what I was doing. I hope Bill Russell will keep asking the question-Mustard or Ketchup? And to all the coaches and players that I have known in my short time. I would also like to thank my assistant coaches I have had throughout my career both at NHS and Norwich, including Ed Hockenbury, Sr., Kevin Ryan, Paul Booth, Scott Amell, Brian Baker, Leland Goodenough, Mike Czok, Drew Casper, and of course my current assistants Billy Whaley, Jake Preston and Ben Woessner."
A nation-wide search for Pecora's successor is underway.