Jack Carpenter completed his 16th softball season with Nazareth in 2022 and helped guide the Golden Flyers to a solid season in the Empire 8 Conference, which included an 8-6 league record and a berth in the post-season tournament.
The post-season stint was highlighted by the team's first-ever playoff win -- a 4-3 triumph over Russell Sage. Nazareth finished 18-19 overall and had four players named to the conference all-star team, including E8 Pitcher of the Year Emily Daciw.
In 2019, Carpenter helped the Golden Flyers to another Empire tournament appearance with six victories in conference play. The team also posted a 3-2 win over SUNY Canton in Florida marking Carpenter's 300th career coaching victory. Â
In 2017 Nazareth went 19-15 overall (including 8-6 in conference play) and reached the Empire 8 Conference Tournament for just the second time in their history. Carpenter was recognized as Empire 8 Coach of the Year for the fourth time -- the previous three honors coming at RIT.
Nazareth previously made the E8 Tournament in 2008. The Golden Flyers have been equally competitive in subsequent seasons, including 2016 when they won a school-record 20 games.
Carpenter helped the Golden Flyers re-introduce softball in 2007 as they finished 9-27 in their first season back. Nazareth previously offered softball as an intercollegiate sport from 1986 through 1991.
A graduate of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., Carpenter compiled a record of 139-93-3 in six seasons as head coach at RIT and was named Empire 8 Conference Coach of the Year three times — in 2001, 2002 and 2005. He guided the Tigers to E8 Conference titles in 2001 and 2005 and an ECAC Upstate title in 2004. At RIT, he also had 32 players selected as conference all-stars.
In 2010, Nazareth had its first Northeast Region all-star under Carpenter's direction as pitcher Kelly Kocher earned first-team honors. She also was named Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Year and led all of Division III in strikeouts per seven innings with 14.1.
Before taking over as head coach at RIT, Carpenter was an assistant coach for the Tigers for six seasons. He has served as softball chairperson for the Empire 8 and has been a head coach for several travel softball teams through the Amateur Softball Association. He also has coached in the Gates Chili Little League and was the organization president from 1983 through 2001.
Carpenter lives in Rochester with his wife Katherine. They are the parents of sons Mark and John.
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