The Hunter College athletics department extends its deepest gratitude to Head Coach Ralph Moroni, who has led the school's softball program through 18 successful seasons before stepping down at the end of this year.
Moroni's first tenure with the Hawks spanned from 1991 to 1995, followed by a return from 2011 to 2024, culminating in a career record of 274-286-2.
This season, Moroni was honored as the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the Hawks secured a second-place finish in the regular season and advanced to the CUNYAC Softball Championship final, while Sonia Rosenthal earned the conference's Rookie of the Year award.
In 2019, Moroni guided the team back to the CUNYAC Championship game after a one-year hiatus. The Hawks achieved a 20-12 record, winning the Regular Season Title with an 11-1 CUNYAC record, despite challenging weather conditions. The team maintained an 8-0 home record and secured seven victories against tough non-conference opponents. They entered the CUNYAC Tournament as the top seed, defeating John Jay twice with 8-0 victories but fell to Staten Island in the double-elimination tournament, finishing as the runner-up. That season, six players earned CUNYAC Weekly Awards, five were named All-Stars, and Moroni was recognized as the conference Coach of the Year.
In 2015, the Hawks earned the #2 seed with a 19-9 record, including 10-2 in CUNYAC play. The team faced Brooklyn College and CSI in the championship, ultimately falling to CSI. Crofts was named CUNYAC Player of the Year, with Colangelo, O'Shea, and Kresback all earning CUNYAC 1st Team All-Star honors, and Kline and Slavik receiving 2nd Team All-Star recognition.
During the 2014 season, Moroni led the Hawks to the CUNYAC Softball Championship game with a 15-23 overall record and an 8-4 conference record. The team advanced through the quarterfinals and double-elimination rounds, with Freshman Taylor Crofts being named CUNYAC Rookie of the Year and multiple players earning All-Star accolades.
In 2013, Moroni coached the Hawks to the CUNYAC Championship Game, where they narrowly lost to the College of Staten Island. The team finished with a 15-28 overall record and an 8-7 conference record, with five players receiving CUNYAC awards.
The 2012 season saw the Hawks place fourth at the CUNYAC Championships, ending with a 14-28 overall record and a 9-3 conference record. Five players were named CUNYAC All-Stars.
In 2011, the Hawks compiled a 22-16-2 overall record and a 10-3-1 conference record. Despite being eliminated in the CUNYAC semifinal, they advanced to the second round of the ECAC Tournament.
Before his time at Hunter College, Moroni was the head coach at Moore Catholic High School from 1996 to 2009, achieving a 208-73 record. He won two CHSAA New York State Championships, four CHSAA City Championships, and four Staten Island Championships, and made ten consecutive CHSAA Archdiocesan Championship appearances, winning six.
During his initial tenure at Hunter College from 1991 to 1995, Moroni achieved a 63-52 overall record and a 20-3 conference record, leading the Hawks to the CUNYAC postseason each year and winning the conference championship three years in a row from 1993 to 1995, during which he was also named Coach of the Year.
Coach Ralph Moroni's dedication and success have left an indelible mark on Hunter College's softball program, and his legacy will be remembered for years to come.
