2008 Woodie Awards
Softball coach Dimatteo joins the 700 club
Danielle Ferlito
Issue date: 5/7/05 Section: Sports
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Over the past 20 years, George DiMatteo (pictured) has molded our Lewis University softball team into one of the best teams in our nation today. The Flyers compete annually in the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship and have become regular participants in the NCAA tournament. Furthermore, the softball team has made astonishing advancements in the past nine years.
DiMatteo, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lewis in 1976, was a member of the Flyers' baseball teams that won three consecutive NAIA national championships (1974-76). He is one of the top players in team history, ranking fourth on Lewis' all-time list in triples (12-tied), seventh in runs (193), 17th in hits (208), 20th in doubles (37-tied), 27th in batting average (.353) and 29th in RBI (109-tied). In addition, he was a three-time NAIA All-America center fielder. After concluding his collegiate career, DiMatteo was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, where he played for two years in the minor league. During this time he became a graduate assistant baseball coach at Western Illinois University where he also earned his master's degree in physical education in 1979. DiMatteo was hired as Aurora University's head baseball coach in 1979 and held that position until being named assistant baseball coach at Lewis in 1983. He was selected as the Flyers' head softball coach in 1984 and continues to hold his reign as head coach.
Throughout DiMatteo's 22 years, Lewis has compiled a record of 358-149-1, an average of nearly 40 wins per year, and a .706 winning percentage. DiMatteo holds a career record of 694-353-6 (.662) entering the 2005 season. In 2004, the Flyers won the GLVC Championship for the eighth time under DiMatteo's leadership and advanced to the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional. Lewis finished the year 45-13 and won the fourth-most games in school history. In addition, two players earned All-America honors, five were named all-region and six garnered all-conference accolades (Sports Information).
Ending his 2004 season with 694 wins, DiMatteo knew that 2005 was going to be another unforgettable season. On March 6 in Kissimmee, Fla., DiMatteo became the tenth Division II coach to win 700 games in his 22-year career. The lucky opponent that got defeated for this milestone win was California (Pennsylvania), in a 7-4 defeat. Later on that day, he hit win number 701 with a triumph over Merrimack (Massachuetts), in a 7-5 final score. The softball team also completed the Rebel Games with five wins and three losses.
With a smaller team, DiMatteo and Gorski have had the opportunity to give extra attention to their players and special areas that need improvement. With that, the 2005 Flyers softball team is looking to defend its GLVC title and win the conference tournament, qualify for the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional and win close to 40 games. After DiMatteo's outstanding record and over 700 wins, the 2005 season can only get better.
DiMatteo, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lewis in 1976, was a member of the Flyers' baseball teams that won three consecutive NAIA national championships (1974-76). He is one of the top players in team history, ranking fourth on Lewis' all-time list in triples (12-tied), seventh in runs (193), 17th in hits (208), 20th in doubles (37-tied), 27th in batting average (.353) and 29th in RBI (109-tied). In addition, he was a three-time NAIA All-America center fielder. After concluding his collegiate career, DiMatteo was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, where he played for two years in the minor league. During this time he became a graduate assistant baseball coach at Western Illinois University where he also earned his master's degree in physical education in 1979. DiMatteo was hired as Aurora University's head baseball coach in 1979 and held that position until being named assistant baseball coach at Lewis in 1983. He was selected as the Flyers' head softball coach in 1984 and continues to hold his reign as head coach.
Throughout DiMatteo's 22 years, Lewis has compiled a record of 358-149-1, an average of nearly 40 wins per year, and a .706 winning percentage. DiMatteo holds a career record of 694-353-6 (.662) entering the 2005 season. In 2004, the Flyers won the GLVC Championship for the eighth time under DiMatteo's leadership and advanced to the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional. Lewis finished the year 45-13 and won the fourth-most games in school history. In addition, two players earned All-America honors, five were named all-region and six garnered all-conference accolades (Sports Information).
Ending his 2004 season with 694 wins, DiMatteo knew that 2005 was going to be another unforgettable season. On March 6 in Kissimmee, Fla., DiMatteo became the tenth Division II coach to win 700 games in his 22-year career. The lucky opponent that got defeated for this milestone win was California (Pennsylvania), in a 7-4 defeat. Later on that day, he hit win number 701 with a triumph over Merrimack (Massachuetts), in a 7-5 final score. The softball team also completed the Rebel Games with five wins and three losses.
With a smaller team, DiMatteo and Gorski have had the opportunity to give extra attention to their players and special areas that need improvement. With that, the 2005 Flyers softball team is looking to defend its GLVC title and win the conference tournament, qualify for the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional and win close to 40 games. After DiMatteo's outstanding record and over 700 wins, the 2005 season can only get better.
