A lot has changed at Notre Dame of West Haven since 1970 — the price of gas, cars, houses, and tuition not to mention the importance of computers and technology, the advent of the internet and the emergence of social media.
Sporting rules have also changed greatly and so has the surface on which many of the games are played — from grass to artificial turf. This is certainly true here at Notre Dame with the completion of the Fogler Athletic Complex.
One constant “On the Hill” in West Haven since 1970, however, has been the presence, leadership, wisdom, knowledge, and passion of long-time coach and Athletic Director Tom Marcucci.
That will change effective June 30, 2018 when Marcucci will officially retire after 48 years as a dedicated and loyal teacher, coach, and administrator at his alma mater and hand the reins over to Assistant Athletic Director and head basketball coach Jason Shea.
There will be a retirement celebration to recognize Coach Marcucci’s amazing Notre Dame career on Wednesday evening, June 13 from 5:30-8 Notre Dame. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the Alumni tab on notredamehs.com.
“People say you know when it is time and for me it is now,” said Marcucci, who was inducted as a Notre Dame Knight of Honor in 1990. “I want to be able to not worry about the calendar and the clock while I am in good health. I still love coming to work each day, but now my wife Pat and I will have the freedom to do what we want when we want.”
If you count Marcucci’s four years as a student-athlete from 1962-1966, he has spent 52 years of his life at Notre Dame High School.
Marcucci added, “I arrived at Notre Dame in 1962 when I was 14, and except for four years in college, I’ve been here ever since. It is truly a second home. I met Pat here, and my kids grew up thinking that all social events revolved around Notre Dame. The lasting memories will always revolve around people. I have worked with amazing people, and the young men I have taught and coached have added to my life and the life of my family in ways that are impossible to measure.”
“Tom’s legacy at Notre Dame may never be matched,” said Shea. “In my opinion, he represents everything that is great about Notre Dame and high school sports in general. He has been a tremendous mentor to me, and I could never thank him enough. I, along with so many others, will certainly miss having him at Notre Dame on a daily basis, but I plan on calling him at least once a day next year for advice and reassurance.”
“Tom Marcucci has lived out our school’s mission through his service to Notre Dame and the countless students and athletes he has guided over 48 years,” said President Robert F. Curis. “It has been a privilege to get to know him and work with him. His commitment to our students has been unwavering. He has been a first-class educator, coach, and administrator who leads by example, and his dedication commands respect and sincere gratitude. We wish him and Pat all the best in their next chapter together.”
Marcucci’s Notre Dame career, which started as a “green” freshmen in the Fall of 1962, will culminate with 48 years of “golden” service to his alma mater in a variety of roles. His tenure spanned six decades.
After graduating from the College of the Holy Cross in 1970, he returned as a history teacher and assistant baseball and football coach in 1970. He has spent the last 12 years as Athletic Director, after replacing another Notre Dame legend in Joe Tonelli in July of 2006.
In between, Marcucci served two stints as the Green Knights head football coach and a 22-year run as head baseball coach. He amassed 513 combined wins and won state championships in both sports. All totaled, he was head coach for 739 Notre Dame games.
Marcucci’s two tours as Green Knights head football coach totaled 25 years. He stepped aside in 2016 with a career record of 179-82-6. His first run as head coach started in 1982 and lasted until 1998, winning the Class L title in 1991. He returned, hiring himself, in what he jokes as one of the toughest job interviews he ever conducted, for the 2009-2016 seasons, guiding Notre Dame to five playoff berths and the 2009 Class L title in his first year back at the helm.
Marcucci also served as the school’s baseball coach from 1973-1994 compiling a 334-138 record, including a Class LL title in 1985.