WESTON, Mass. – The Regis (Mass.) Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Tara Petrocelli-McGloin as the new head softball coach for Regis, a Catholic University in Greater Boston.

Petrocelli-McGloin becomes the Pride's first full-time softball coach and leads the program into its first season as a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. Former coach Nikki Panciocco remains as field hockey head coach in a continued effort by Regis Athletics to bolster both programs.

"We are excited to welcome coach Petrocelli-McGloin to Pride athletics," said Dean of Athletics Pam Roecker. "Tara is a veteran and highly respected coach who has a proven record of success building programs at a variety of levels and she will do the same for Regis softball! Our outstanding softball facility, campus location, quality academic programs and dedicated student-athletes, combined with Tara's unmatched passion for softball and commitment to developing student-athletes are a great formula for success at the GNAC level and beyond!"

"I am honored to join Regis, its softball program and athletic department. I want to thank the administration for giving me this opportunity, especially Dean of Athletics Pam Roecker whose experience and guidance will help me expand and grow the softball program," added Petrocelli-McGloin. "The team is coming off one of its best seasons in program history and with the dedication and hard work of the current student-athletes, we will only continue to improve and grow and I am excited to be part of this process. The University's investment in the athletic facilities and the strength of the athletic administration have been major factors in the program's recent success, and I look forward to becoming a member of the Pride."

Petrocelli-McGloin comes to Regis after a successful two-year stint as assistant coach at Division II Merrimack College which included a 35-win campaign in 2017, the most victories for the school in 13 years. Merrimack reached its 14th NCAA Tournament, qualifying as the sixth seed out of the East Region. The Warriors won twice during the national tournament to reach the subregional final, knocking off nationally ranked and third-seeded Caldwell University in an elimination game.

Over her two seasons at Merrimack, Petrocelli-McGloin coached 11 all-league selections, four all-region student-athletes and the program's first academic All-American in 22 years.

Prior to Merrimack, Petrocelli-McGloin had a tremendously successful career as head coach at Danvers High School in Danvers, Mass. During her 11 years at Danvers from 2004-15, she amassed an impressive 198-42 record, coaching her team to nine Northeast Conference Titles and 11 MIAA Tournament berths and advancing four times to the regional semifinals. For her efforts, she was twice named Salem News Coach of the Year and was a four-time conference coach of the year selection.

Petrocelli-McGloin currently serves as the head coach of the 18U Raiders Softball team in Concord, Mass, a position she has held since 2004. Countless players under her tutelage have gone to play collegiately at all levels.

Petrocelli-McGloin was also a four-year letterwinner and third baseman at Anna Maria College where she graduated with a degree in criminal justice.

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