Valdosta State University Women's Softball

Macera has established a tradition of excellence, leading the Blazers to an unprecedented six consecutive Gulf South Conference Championships from 2009-14, four NCAA Division II South Regional Championships, and the program's first ever National Championship Title in 2012. In addition, the Blazers have finished in the top ten of the NFCA national rankings in three of the past four seasons with three NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament appearances. The program finished as one of the nation's top two teams in three of the last five campaigns and fell just two runs shy of another national title in 2014.  In his career at VSU, Macera has tallied a 485-122 record for a winning percentage of .799. His record places him fourth on the all-time wins list for a GSC coach and has earned him the title of VSU softball's all-time winningest coach. His efforts have earned his staff the NFCA's South Region Coaching Staff of the Year honor in three of the program's last four seasons to go along with a National Coaching Staff of the Year award in 2012. As a head coach on the collegiate level, Macera eclipsed the 600 win mark in 2014 and improved his career win percentage to .785 in 2015 with a 48-9 record to boost his career total to 691 wins against just 189 losses. Under Macera, the Blazers have appeared in the NCAA South Regional Tournament ten times, hosting the tournament six times. Through the years, his players have proven their abilities in the classroom as well. Macera has coached countless All-Academic players, two of which have received Elite 89 awards, one of the NCAA's top academic honors. In 2015, the Blazers reeled off one of the longest winning streaks in program history with 26 straight victories from February 15th through March 31st. The squad spent a majority of the season as the nation's top-ranked team and earned hosting rights for both the GSC Tournament and the NCAA South 1 Regional Tournament. VSU's effort during the regular season fueled a 48-9 record on the year and earned Macera GSC Coach of the Year honors. Under Macera's guidance, Courtney Albritton set new single season school and conference records in 2014 with 27 home runs, 83 runs scored, and 200 total bases. She completed her career with new conference records for home runs (75), hits (317), slugging percentage (.824), and total bases with 615. The stellar numbers earned the All-American honors in each of her four seasons, and she was named the GSC Player of the Year three times. The 2014 season was a story of perseverence for Macera's squad. After being swept by the rival Alabama-Huntsville Chargers in April, the team reeled off a 17-3 record with one of those three losses coming in a thrilling 3-2 loss to West Texas A&M in the Division II National Championship game. The championship game appearance was the squad's third in five years. Two Blazers were named NFCA All-Americans at the conclusion of the 2014 season, while three players earned All-Region honors and four student-athletes were recognized as All-GSC selections. Following the 2012 National Championship season, the Blazers lost six seniors who all played key roles, and few expected the Blazers to put up a strong 2013 season in defense of their title. Macera silenced the naysayers, constructing a squad that won a fifth straight GSC Championship, a South Region Championship for the second straight year, and a return bid to the Division II National Championship Tournament. Despite elimination in the National Championship Tournament, VSU made a strong showing in 2013 and finished the season 48-13. The team was outstanding statistically, as eight players hit .300 or better and the team finished the season leading the GSC in home runs with 71. Albritton was named the GSC Player of the Year as a sophomore for the second consecutive season, and she joined senior Morgan Johnson as an All-American in 2013. VSU excelled in the circle as well, leading the GSC with a 2.42 ERA. Year after year, numerous players under Macera are recognized for their outstanding athletic achievements. This trend continued in 2013 when Albritton was recognized as the NFCA South Region Player of the Year. Both Albritton and Johnson were named NFCA All-Americans and were selected to the Daktronics All-Region First Team. Of course, Macera's best season to date came in 2012, when his squad overcame a loss in the first game of the National Championship Tournament and fought their way back through the bracket to earn a spot in the championship game. The Blazers defeated UC San Diego 4-1 to conclude a 58-5 season and earn the Blazers their first National Championship in VSU softball history. The season marked a .921 winning percentage, and now stands in the GSC record books as the most successful ever in the history of GSC softball. While the team went all the way in 2012, the Blazers actually broke more records under Macera's tutelage in 2009. The team went 57-8 on the season and broke 16 school records on the way to a Gulf South Conference Championship before losing in the super regional to Alabama-Huntsville. The most notable broken records during the 2009 season were for runs (503), hits (638), runs batted in (452) and home runs (98). In that same season, Macera coached Braswell, Littlefield and Shirey to All-America seasons. That trio teamed with three others to make a total of six All-Gulf South Conference players. The quality of character in Macera's recruits has become evident in recent years, as the prestigious Gulf South Conference Commissioner's Trophy, awarded to one female student-athlete in the GSC, has been presented to one of his players in each of the last three seasons. In addition to his collegiate success, Macera also helped guide the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro FastPitch League to a 2008 championship. Macera served as the hitting and infield coach for the Bandits, a team that boasted five national team players, including Jennie Finch. In his time at VSU, Macera, who holds both a bachelors (1996) and masters (2003) from VSU, has coached a number of players 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 season and ended the year 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, 14, and a son Ty, 9.