PLEASANTVILLE, NY- Former Pace University Baseball Head Coach Fred Calaicone (1933-2015) passed away at age 81 at his home this past weekend in Westchester County, NY. Calaicone guided the Pace Baseball team from 1981 until he stepped down in 2000. He served as the assistant coach for two seasons before retiring following the 2002 season.
 
"The Pace family suffered a significant loss over the weekend with the passing of Coach Calaicone," said Director of Athletics Mark Brown. "He was a gentleman, a coach, a father, a colleague, a grandfather, a mentor and friend.  He inspired so many of us in many different ways and our community will miss him immensely."
 
Fred Calaicone served for 20 seasons as head coach of the Pace University baseball program.  During his time, Calaicone became the first Setters coach to eclipse the 300 win plateau, accomplishing the feat on March 3, 1995 with a 4-3 win over New Hampshire College.  Calaicone retired as head coach after the 2000 season, finishing his head coaching career with a record of 397-389 for a winning percentage of .505.  Calaicone stayed on with the team as an assistant coach through the 2002 season. He was inducted in the Pace Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002 and his 1985 Baseball Team was the Team of Distinction recipient at the 2015 Hall of Fame ceremony this past spring.
 
During his tenure at Pace, Coach Calaicone took the program from Division II to the Division I level, which helped lead to the construction of the baseball field on the Pleasantville campus. Many players under Calaicone continued their baseball careers professionally after their stints in Setters uniforms, including current Head Coach Henry Manning (1987-90).
 
"The loss of Coach Calaicone will be felt by all in the Pace Baseball family," said Coach Manning. "He was a remarkable mentor for me as a player and later as I returned to take over head coaching duties at my alma mater. He will be missed by all of the lives that he touched over the 35 years he has worked at Pace."
 
Pace moved to Division I in 1987 and in 1989 was invited to the ECAC Division I Tournament.  While on the Division II level, the team won conference titles in 1983, 1984, and 1985.  The 1985 season marked the Setters' first 30-win season as they advanced to the NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament.
 
Coach Calaicone began his coaching career over 35 years ago at Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, New York.  He led teams to six league titles and two New York City High School Championships.  He became the Setters head coach in September, 1980.
 
Following his retirement from coaching, Calaicone remained active in the Pace Athletics community. He was a member of the Pace Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and worked in the Goldstein Health, Fitness and Recreation Center.
 
A former professional baseball player, Calaicone played in the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs minor league systems.  He also served in the New York City Fire Department from 1964 until his retirement in 1984, when he became a full-time coach at Pace.

Coach Calaicone resided in Ardsley, New York with his wife, Fran. The couple have three children, a son, Fred and two daughters, Christine and Linda along with their grandchildren.
 
Funeral Arrangements for Fred Calaicone
 
Edwards and Dowdle Funeral Home
64 Ashford Ave
Dobbs Ferry New York 10522
 
Thursday (7/23) : 2-4pm and 7-9pm
Friday (7/24) : 2-4pm and 7-9pm
 
OLPH Church
Ardsley New York
Saturday (7/25) : 10am