Baseball

Marra steps down

SCCC Region XV Coach of the Year heading to Monticello HS

LOCH SHELDRAKE - Mike Marra doesn't need the numbers to know he's had success in three seasons as Sullivan County Community College's head baseball coach.

Marra, who recently was named the 2008 NJCAA Region XV Baseball Coach of the Year, resigned as baseball coach and assistant director of athletics at Sullivan County Community College (SCCC) effective August 15. He will take a teaching and coaching position at Monticello High School. In addition to his teaching duties, Marra will coach varsity baseball.

Marra was hired to revive the SCCC baseball program in 2006, which was dropped after the 1986 season.

"I feel like I'm going out on top, and it has nothing to do with wins and losses," Marra said. "It's a great feeling to know you had a great run and enjoyed a great relationship with the kids."

"I have enjoyed serving as the coach of the Generals for the last three years and will always remember the many players who came through this program during that time," Marra said. "I feel like we accomplished a lot and achieved some great things in reaching the NJCAA East District and winning the Region XV Championship."

"Sullivan County Community College is a great place to be, a great place to work and an attractive job, but I enjoy the high school level more," said Marra, who lives in Wurtsboro. "It's a better situation for me and my family. It was a family decision, and the bottom line is I can go home at night and spend time with my wife, Ann."

Marra compiled a 42-59 record after three seasons when the Generals lost 11-4 to Mercer CC in the NJCAA East District Tournament on May 11. The Generals finished 9-20 in the first season, but improved to 16-20 last year, which was the highest win total in school history. They advanced to the NJCAA Region XV Final Four. This season, Marra led the Generals (17-19) to their first-ever NJCAA Region XV Championship and was named the Region XV Coach of the Year.

"I think we've made improvements as a staff on and off the field and with the conditions of the program over the three years I've been here," Marra said. "I think with everything we've done, we've made an impact on baseball at Sullivan County Community College."

Marra coached baseball at John Coleman High School from 1993 to1995 and Kingston High School from 2000 to 2004 prior to coming to Sullivan County Community College. He led the Statesmen to the 1995 MHAL Western Division and Section IX Class D championships and guided the Tigers to the Section IX Class AA Championships in 2001 and 2004. Marra was named the ABCA Northeast Baseball Coach of the Year in 2004.