FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former Bridgeport Assistant Tabbed to Lead Yellow Jackets
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - American International Director of Athletics Matthew Johnson announced the hiring of Shalise Tolentino to take control of the softball program on Thursday, July 12. Tolentino becomes just the third head softball coach in the program's 50 years.
"We are extremely excited that Shalise Tolentino will be joining the AIC Family," said Johnson. "She has tremendous playing and coaching experience and is familiar with NCAA Division II softball. Shalise has an infectious personality and comes highly recommended. We are confident she has the tools to become a very successful head coach and look forward to watching her develop and grow as a leader in the AIC community."
"I am very excited to have been picked to be the next head coach of the Yellow Jackets. My entire philosophy is 1% better every day. If you are giving 1% better from the day before, then you are only going to get better. I think we are just a couple of small pieces away from turning this program around and becoming a competitor in the NE10."
Tolentino joins the Yellow Jackets after spending the last two season as an assistant coach at the University of Bridgeport. While with the Purple Knights, Tolentino served as infield, hitting, and third base coach. Last season, she helped increased the Purple Knights' runs per game to 5.12.
In the summer, she serves as co-head coach on the Watertown Rapids. In her five seasons, she has coached seven players who have gone on to play at the Division I, Division II, or Division III level.
Tolentino started her head coaching career in March 2006 when she was promoted to head coach at Green Farms Academy. In her four seasons at Green Farms, one as an assistant and three as the head coach, Tolentino helped lead the program to their first conference title in over a decade.
Tolentino is a 2005 graduate of Mount Saint Mary's University where she graduated with a bachelor of science of psychology. From 2001-05, Tolentino was a four year starter while playing third base and the outfield. As a freshman, she recorded eight doubles, fourth most all time in program history for a freshman. She also had five triples that season, ties for the most by a freshman in program history. She is currently in a tie for sixth place in career history in triples with six.
- Information for this release provided by the athletic communications staff at AIC
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.