Donald Panzarella
South Plainfield High School
Impact Statement
““You never think about how many games you’ve won. It just comes up on you just like the state record came up.” -Donald Panzarella
Biography
New Jersey’s all-time winningest softball coach reached another milestone in 2022 by winning his 800th career game. In early May, Panzarella achieved the magical number with a 14-12 win over Woodbridge.
Coach Panzarella told TapInto.net, “I don’t really look at how many games I’ve won or how many games we played. I’ve been doing it for a long time. I love doing it. I had the opportunity to have my son with me when I set the (most wins all-time) record and again with 800. So, I’ve been lucky to have a family member with me.
It’s been a great ride. I’ve had great kids here. I’ve had the opportunity to do what I really love to do. It’s outstanding thinking about how many games we’ve won, but I don’t do it for that. I just really love it.”
This season’s 19-7 record brings Panzarella’s all-time record to 804-227. His teams have won four group state championships and eight sectional titles.
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