Bio

Marie Piccone was a three-sport star at Orange County Community College, toiling for the women’s basketball, field hockey, and softball teams. At her graduation, she was presented with the 1963 Athlete of the Year award.

She returned to the College in 1970 as coach of the Colts’ women’s volleyball and softball teams. For more than 20 years, she guided the volleyball team to numerous district and regional championships.

Her 1973 team placed third at the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national tournament in Miami, Fla. Her regional powerhouse softball teams were equally as successful. The 1975 Colts advanced to the national softball tournament.

She was a member of the Physical Education Department faculty for 28 years (1970-98) and holds the distinction of being the College’s first-ever female athletic director. She was instrumental in developing a host of new physical education courses.

Piccone served as a representative of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) office at national volleyball tournaments. Well after her collegiate playing days, Piccone could still be found on the local fields and courts as both a competitor (basketball and softball) and official (volleyball and softball).