Larry Panciera

Summary

Larry Panciera (October 11, 1921 – September 8, 1998) was an American college baseball coach at the University of Connecticut where he led the Huskies to three College World Series appearances in eighteen seasons. Panciera coached the Huskies from 1962 through 1979, finishing with a 297–160–5 overall record.[1]

Larry Panciera
Biographical details
Born(1921-10-11)October 11, 1921
Westerly, Rhode Island, U.S.
DiedSeptember 8, 1998(1998-09-08) (aged 76)
Weekapaugh, Rhode Island, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Rhode Island
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1962–1979Connecticut
Head coaching record
Overall297–160–5

Early life edit

Panciera was born October 11, 1921, in Westerly, Rhode Island. He enrolled at Rhode Island State College in 1940 but joined the United States Army during World War II. After the war, he returned to college and played football and baseball for the Rhode Island Rams while completing his degree. After graduating, Panciera spent three years at Killingly High School in Danielson, Connecticut, serving as the school's first athletic director and coaching the football and baseball teams. Each team won state titles during his tenure.[1][2]

Coaching career edit

In 1950, Panciera joined the staff of the Connecticut Huskies football team, as freshman coach. Four years later, he added assistant coach of the baseball team under head coach J. O. Christian before succeeding him in 1962. In his career as head baseball coach from 1962 through 1979, the Huskies reached three College World Series and saw 40 players sign professional contracts. Panciera owns the highest winning percentage of all baseball coaches at UConn. He died on September 8, 1998, after a prolonged illness.[1][2][3][4]

Head coaching record edit

The following table shows Panciera's record as a head coach.[5]

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Connecticut Huskies (Yankee Conference) (1962–1974)
1962 Connecticut 7–7–1 3–6–1
1963 Connecticut 14–9 7–2 1st NCAA Regional
1964 Connecticut 8–12–1 3–6–1
1965 Connecticut 16–9 7–3 1st College World Series
1966 Connecticut 12–6 7–3 T–1st
1967 Connecticut 16–5 7–3
1968 Connecticut 17–10 8–1 1st NCAA Regional
1969 Connecticut 10–16 6–4
1970 Connecticut 18–12 8–2 T–1st NCAA Regional
1971 Connecticut 20–4 11–3
1972 Connecticut 20–7 12–0 1st College World Series
1973 Connecticut 10–8–1 4–2–1
1974 Connecticut 12–9 4–3
Connecticut: 181–114–3 87–38–3
Connecticut Huskies (Eastern College Athletic Conference) (1975–1979)
1975 Connecticut 16–5–2
1976 Connecticut 24–7
1977 Connecticut 28–8 NCAA Regional
1978 Connecticut 17–14
1979 Connecticut 31–13 College World Series
Connecticut: 116–47–2
Total: 297–160–5

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "In Memoriam: Larry Panciera". University of Connecticut Advance. October 19, 1988. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Ex-Conn. Baseball Coach Dies". Associated Press. September 9, 1998. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  3. ^ "UConn to Retire Three Former Baseball Coaches' Numbers This Spring". Uconn Huskies. February 23, 2004. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  4. ^ "Larry Panciera, 76". Hartford Courant. September 10, 1998. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  5. ^ 2013 Baseball Media Guide. UConn Huskies. pp. 56–57. Retrieved June 6, 2013.