Tom Pardalis enters his fourth season as Manhattan's head softball coach.  He posted a winning record and led Manhattan to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament during each of his first two seasons at the helm. 

During his initial campaign in 2010, Pardalis led the Jaspers to a 25-23-1 record and their second straight MAAC Tournament appearance.  The 25 wins were Manhattan's highest total since 2006, which also marked the last time the Jaspers had finished above .500 prior to his arrival.  In 2011, Manhattan finished above .500 again, going 25-23.  The Jaspers defeated every team in the MAAC during the regular season, posting a school-record 12 conference wins en route to the No. 2 seed in the MAAC Tournament.  It was Manhattan's third straight postseason appearance, matching the feat of the 2004-06 squads.

Nine Manhattan players have been named All-MAAC in Pardalis' three seasons, including two-time First Team All-MAAC choice Jaci Rahey.  Rahey also earned a First Team All-Northeast Region selection in 2010.  Kate Bowen was named First Team All-Northeast Region as a utility player in 2012 while also earning Second Team All-MAAC honors as an infielder.  In addition, his student-athletes have found success in the classroom, earning a total of 24 MAAC All-Academic selections. 

A 40-year coaching veteran, Pardalis came to Manhattan after six seasons an assistant at Western Connecticut State University.  He helped the Colonials win the 2007 ECAC Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2008.  Also in 2008, he coached the Little East Conference Pitcher of the Year and four all-conference players.

Prior to his time at Western Connecticut State, Pardalis was an assistant coach at MAAC rival Marist for three seasons.  He worked with the Red Foxes' hitters and outfielders, while also handling duties in recruiting, film work and scheduling.  In 2006, Marist posted a 33-13 overall record en route to the MAAC Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.  That season, the Red Foxes ranked eighth nationally in home runs per game, belting 47 in 46 contests.  Marist also ranked 19^th nationally in slugging percentage (.458) and 21^st in earned run average (2.52) in 2006.  Four Red Foxes earned All-MAAC honors that season, including both the MAAC Player of the Year and MAAC Pitcher of the Year.

From 1992-2001, Pardalis was the head coach of the varsity softball team at New Fairfield High School in New Fairfield, Conn.  New Fairfield won the 1999 Connecticut State Championship and produced six Division I softball players.  Pardalis led the Rebels to four straight division championships (1993-96) and twice earned conference Coach of the Year honors (1994-95).

He also guided three different club teams to the PONY Nationals.  In 1997, he led the Connecticut Legacy to the state championship and a fifth-place finish at the PONY Nationals in the under-14 division.  He also led the under-16 Connecticut Crush to Nationals in 1998, and the under-18 Connecticut Tradition to the 1999 PONY Nationals. 

Pardalis spent 37 years teaching physical education and coaching in the Connecticut Public School system before retiring following the 2008-09 school year.  He has also coached football, basketball and baseball during his career, and he was the varsity boy's basketball coach at Danbury High School from 1996-2009.  Pardalis spent time as an assistant men's basketball coach at Western Connecticut State from 1992-96, helping the Colonials win the 1995 ECAC Championship and qualify for the 1996 NCAA Tournament.

A 1972 graduate of Saint Leo College, Pardalis earned a master's degree from Western Connecticut State in 1978 and a degree in administration from Sacred Heart in 2002.  He and his wife, Rosemary, have two children and two grandchildren.