Louisville, Ky. - After a remarkable year for the Adelphi University softball program, the Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association has named Lou Vanacore the 2022 NFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year, the organization announced on Thursday afternoon.

The Long Island native is not too shy from achieving such significant awards. This past season, he and head coach Carla Campagna were selected as the NFCA Division II Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.

Vanacore helped to oversee a 2022 Adelphi squad that achieved a 47-15 overall record, won an NE10 Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship for the first time since 2016.

"Our pitching success over the last three seasons are all credit to Lou and his dedication to this program and sport. Coach Lou wants to pull 100% of the athletes' best ability so they can feel good about themselves when they succeed. This is why Lou wakes up in the morning to coach every day," voiced by Campagna.

Vanacore has guided the pair of aces in Claire Fon and Lindsey Hibbs to luxurious awards, such as being honored as All-Americans, All-Region and All-Conference in his tenure here with the Brown and Gold. He has also achieved great success working with the student-athletes on the offensive side of the game, as the Panthers had the second-best batting average in the NE10 last season.

Coach Campagna and Coach Lou have a long history working together, dating back to their days coaching at LIU Post before coming to Adelphi in 2020. 

"For a part time assistant coach, he deserves to be recognized for all the thankless time and commitment to not only me but for this program and family.  I can't express the amount of hours and time Lou has put into each athlete, especially the pitchers and catchers. What people don't know is I have known Coach Lou for almost 20 years now, with 10 of those years being my coach," Campagna said.

The duo has earned many accomplishments during their tenure coaching at each other's side. 

"To now share the field with Coach Lou has been an honor and I thank him for everything he's done for me as an athlete and now as my assistant. Congratulations, Lou, you deserve it."