ITHACA, N.Y. – University of Hartford softball head coach Mairin Dudek was recently inducted as a member of the Ithaca College Hall of Fame. Dudek, a member of the 2002 NCAA Division III National Championship winning roster co-captained the Bombers during the season.
 
"It was a great honor to be inducted with my teammates to the IC Hall of Fame," said Dudek. "I am very proud to be a Bomber and have played for such a storied program."
 
The 2002 Bombers marked the only national championship in Ithaca College softball history. The Bombers posted a 37-13 record, winning nine of their final 10 games of the season, including seven by shutout. Ithaca went on to sweep the Elite 8 and NCAA regional tournaments, earning a spot in the National Championship tournament. 
 
In the 2002 national title game, Dudek tallied the game-winning hit for Ithaca and was named to the Northeast Regional All-Tournament team for the second consecutive season ('01, '02).
 
During her time at Ithaca, she was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain, helping lead the Bombers to four consecutive appearances in the College World Series from 1998-2002. 
 
Dudek began her coaching career as the head coach at Wheelock College in 2005, before being named Assistant Director of Athletics and head softball coach at Fisher College.
 
After her time with the Falcons, Dudek became an assistant coach at UAlbany. Where in 2011, she was recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as the Northeast Regions Coaching Staff of the Year. 
 
Prior to arriving at Hartford, Dudek most recently spent time as an Assistant Coach at Amherst College from 2020-21. Before her time at Amherst, she served as the second head softball coach for the American International Colleges 43-year-old softball program.
 
Dudek enters her second year at the helm of the Hartford softball team. In her first season in West Hartford in 2022, the Hawks posted an overall record of 17-32 marking the second highest win total in the last four seasons. Hartford also broke the team single season doubles record (75) and homerun record (30).
 
 
"My experiences as a player at Ithaca helped shape my coaching philosophies and style," said Dudek. "I learned the importance of player development and the work and motivation it takes to be successful at the collegiate level."

The 2022 Ithaca College Hall of Fame class also includes, Janos "Jim" Benedek, Bob Durocher, Steve Graham, Adam Grossman, Mike Matheny, Marcia McCord Cobrand, Dara Porterfield Dalmata and Heather Stafford Piper.