Delaware Valley University Athletics

Now entering his 10th year as head coach, Rich Matarese has led a resurgence in the Aggie softball program including conference playoff appearances in three of the last six seasons.

The recent run began in 2007 when the Aggies, who were picked to finish seventh in the eight-team Freedom Conference, went 16-14 (the second-highest victory total in program history) and qualified for the Freedom Conference postseason for the first time in 20 years. Matarese was named the 2007 Freedom Conference Coach of the Year for his efforts. He also saw five of his players named to the all-conference team.

Expectations were higher in 2008 and the Aggies did not disappoint as they won a school-record 18 games, broke or tied 17 team and individual marks and reached the Freedom Conference Championship Game for the first time in program history. As the third seed in the double-elimination tournament, Matarese and his squad knocked out defending champion King's with a pair of victories, including a 14-inning marathon, and also earned a win over eventual champion DeSales in the championship round. 

In 2009, Matarese had to revamp his roster after graduating a high number of starters from the '07 and '08 squads. They were picked to finish seventh in the preseason poll, but went 10-6 in Freedom action (14-16 overall) and qualified for the conference postseason once again.

Last season, Matarese saw one of his players - Jackie Wear - earn Freedom Conference Player of the Year honors, the first such award in program history.

Prior to his arrival at Delaware Valley, Matarese spent seven years as an assistant softball coach at nearby Central Bucks West High School. During that tenure, the Bucks captured four consecutive Suburban One League Colonial Division Championships (1997 to 2000) while the 1999 squad advanced all the way to the PIAA Class AAAA semifinals.

Materese also coached a travel softball team for more than 10 years and has spent the last seven years as the head coach of a Summer College Level team.