Baseball

Parisho Named Among ABCA Regional Coaches Of The Year

Jul 2, 2021

PERRYSBURG, Ohio - The American Baseball Coaches Association announced on Thursday morning (July 1) the 2021 ABCA/ATEC National and Regional Coaches of the Year. Among those announced was John Parisho, Head Coach of the Owens Express baseball program. Parisho was one of eight coaches at the NJCAA Division-III level named and just one of two from the Great Lakes Region, being joined by Bill Fratto of Oakton.

The recognition comes after one of the best seasons in program history for the Owens Express that saw the team advance to the NJCAA Division-III Baseball World Series in addition to being Regional Champions and the Great Lakes District Champions. On the field, the team accomplished a 35-15 record, tied for the second-most wins in a single season in program history.

The recognition is the first of Parisho?s career at the helm of the Express. The 2020-21 season marked his fifth with the program after taking over as the Head Coach prior to the 2014-15 campaign. He rejoined the program in 2018-19 following a two-year hiatus. He first joined the program ahead of the 2011 season, working with the outfield in 2012 and serving as the team?s hitting coach in 2013 and 2014.

The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 13,000 members represent all 50 states and 23 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth.