Long Beach State University Athletics
Manarino Announces Retirement
6/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Manarino Announces His Retirement from LBSU LONG BEACH, CA-- Head Coach Pete Manarino, who built Long Beach State softball into a perennial power, amassing five College World Series and 17 NCAA Regional appearances, has announced his retirement after 23 years of coaching. A national search will begin to find his successor. Manarino, who took over the program in 1984 as its third coach in four years, amassed an overall record of 843-508-2 (.624), which included five Big West titles and five conference coach of the year honors. When he topped 800 wins in 2005, he was just one of just 19 coaches to do so. His 843 wins are more than any other current or former 49er coach in the university's 57-year history and rank in the top-15 all-time in NCAA history. "Long Beach State has been very good to me and my family for the past 23 years," said Manarino. "I am very proud of my program, for what it stands for--its integrity, values and family-- and for the success my players have achieved, not just on the field, but off. "The relationships I have built have been very important to me; from the players, to my wonderful staff, Kim Sowder, Stephanie Swenson and Ralph Levy, to my fellow coaches. I have developed some special relationships across campus and throughout the community," continued Manarino. "This university has a great city behind it and Long Beach State will always be my home. I look forward to my next challenge." In his first season with a salary of just $2000 and a budget of $20,000, the 49ers produced its first-ever winning season, at 27-23-1. Two years later, in 1986, the team reached the College World Series with just two scholarships, going 39-18. Twenty-three years later, the 49ers feature a fully funded program, its own on-campus field and 22 winning seasons. The program's best run came in the early 1990's, when The Beach went to four-straight College World Series from 1990 to 1993 and amassed a .631 winning percentage going 173-101. Over a five-year stretch from 1986 to 1990, the 49ers, three times, set the school-record for victories, rising from a 39-win season in 1986 to 46 wins in 1988 and 48 wins in 1990. That record would stand for 14 seasons, before the 2004 squad went 51-13. Manarino's career ended with four-straight NCAA Regional appearances, two first place crowns and an impressive 67-13 record in conference games from 2003 to 2006. "Pete has been a tremendous asset to the 49er softball program and to the university for over two decades," said Senior Associate Athletics Director/SWA Cindy Masner, who played for Manarino in 1984 and 1985. "He has left the program in great shape for the future and will be truly missed by the coaches and administration." During his tenure, the 49ers had eight conference pitchers of the year, including the last four, and one player of the year, Carla Williams, in 1986. Overall, the 49ers produced 30 first team all-conference selections and 88 all-conference performances. Thirty-two of those players were named All-Region and three were All-Americans. "It's bitter sweet. I will miss him because of his humor and his leadership, but I'm excited for him to be able to pursue other opportunities, "said 11th year assistant and current associate head coach Kim Kostyk-Sowder, who earned All-America honors in 1991 and played on three CWS teams. "Pete's built this program into a perennial power for 23 years. He's developed great pride in the program and high expectations and created a great family environment. That's what has made it special. He's impacted these girls lives beyond the softball field and he takes great pride in that. "I'm so thankful as a player and a coach to have been with him," continued Shower. "Pete recruited me to Long Beach State. I didn't realize how great Long Beach State was, and is, until I got on campus. I've been with him nearly my entire coaching career, he's taught me so much, and I'm grateful for the time I have had with him." Manarino's players were also successful in the classroom as he has graduated 95 percent of his student-athletes. Manarino's players were named Academic or Scholastic All-Americans eight times. "I can't believe this day has come. I feel so honored to have known Pete for all of these years. After all, if he hadn't gambled on me as a freshman back in 1989, I wouldn't be where I am today," said Sandra Ross-Shirley, who was a two-time All-Big West selection and is currently associate director of the school's Center for Student-Athlete Services. "As a student-athlete he taught me how to be a leader, to be responsible for my actions and to go after what I value in life. Now as a professional, he mentors me, values my judgment and is a personal friend." Manarino also made sure his program was involved in the community. He was the original coordinator for the "Beach Buddies" program, which mentors high school students and he also coordinated the "Child Life" program in association with Miller's Children's Hospital.
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