BUFFALO – D'Youville University and the Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Ona Halladay, announced the hiring of Connor Moriarty as new head softball coach.
"Our softball program has a history of success and I believe that Connor has proven that he has the ability to cultivate a competitive program," Halladay said. "He has experience in recruiting and offering scholarships to talented student-athletes and has turned around some programs down at Monroe. That says a lot about his ability. He shows the characteristics of being a great human being which is what we are looking for within our athletic department. He's going to be a great addition to our team but more importantly, he will be a great leader for our women in the softball program."
"I think the opportunity to get back to NCAA DII was something I was looking forward to," said Moriarty. "I got my start at Pace and I love the balance between academics and athletics and D'Youville is heading into a new age. The vision of what we want to do as an institution academically and athletically was very intriguing to me. There is a strong history of success around here and want to contribute to that however I can and give the best experience for our student-athletes."
Moriarty comes to D'Youville University after one season at Monroe College where he led the Mustangs to a 29-24 record during 2023, a 24-win jump from the prior season. Moriarty and the Mustangs made it to the NJCAA Region 10 Championship game where their season ended after a 2-0 defeat against Gaston College.
While at Monroe, Moriarty had one NJCAA Division I All-American in centerfielder Mya Jack, the team's first All-American since the 2018 season.
Prior to Monroe College, Moriarty was the first ever head softball coach at Monroe College-Bronx from 2019-22. Moriarty saw the team's biggest improvement come during the 2022 season, winning 24 wins more than the 2021 season. With the vast improvement, Moriarty and the Express won their first-ever NJCAA Division III Region 15 Championship and Northeast District Championship to go along with a berth into the national championships. While at the NJCAA Division III Softball National Championships, the Express got their first NJCAA Championship win when they defeated Middlesex by a score of 3-0 for a seventh-place finish.
Moriarty and the Express' success was noticed throughout the region and country as Moriarty and his coaching staff were named the 2022 National Fastpitch Coaches Association NJCAA Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year to go along with being named the 2022 NJCAA Division III Softball Northeast District Coach of the Year.
That same season, the Express saw a pair of players earn 2022 NCJAA Division III Softball All-American honors while eight players were named to the 2022 NJCAA Division III Region 15 All-Region Team.
Moriarty's first coaching stint came at Pace University where he was an assistant coach from 2016-18. Moriarty coached hitting and defense, with his focus primarily on individual instruction and player development with the Setters.
Moriarty will be taking over a Saints program with strong tradition, coming off three-straight appearances in the USCAA World Series with a runner up finish during the 2022 season.
"There is a competitive nature here within the softball program," Moriarty said. "We want to look for student-athletes that want to compete not only in the classroom but on the field as well and understand the value of what it to be a student-athlete at the Division II level. We want student-athletes that have a history of winning, continue to grow, and make a name for ourselves within the region."
Moriarty earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Pace University in 2016 and completed his master's degree in public administration from Pace University in 2018.
