Entering his fifth season as head softball coach, Thomas Macera has established a winning tradition at Valdosta State. In just four years at VSU, Macera has tallied a 193-60 record for a winning percentage of .763. In his four seasons at the helm, the Lady Blazers have made four showings at the NCAA South Regional Tournament.

Last season, Macera led his team to a record breaking year that culminated in a Gulf South Conference Championship for the Lady Blazers. The team went 57-8 on the season and broke 16 school records before losing in the super regional to Alabama-Huntsville.

The team's most impressive broken records were for most wins in a season, runs (503), hits (638), runs batted in (452) and home runs (98).

There were also new individual records in 2009. Andi Braswell swung for a new high batting average of .436 and scored 69 runs. She notched 96 hits on the year. Marti Littlefield set school and conference records for home runs and RBIs with 25 homers and 103 RBIs on the year.

Macera coached Braswell, Littlefield and Alyssa Shirey to All-America seasons. That trio teamed with three others to make a total of six All-Gulf South players.

In addition to his collegiate success, Macera also helped guide the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro FastPitch League to a 2008 championship. Macera serves as the hitting and infield coach for the Bandits, a team that boasts five national team players.

In his time at VSU, Macera, 44, who holds both a bachelors (1996) and masters (2003) from VSU, has coached a number of player to individual accolades and team success. He began his coaching career at Thomas University in Thomasville, Ga. where he compiled a 206-67 (.755) record. His 2004 team registered a 53-4 worksheet and ended the season with the NAIA national crown, earning him NAIA Coach of the Year honors.

Macera is married to the former Tana Marshall, who is also a VSU alumna, having earned two nursing degrees. Together they have a daughter, Taylor, 9, and a son Ty, 4.