Swarthmore College Athletics

With nearly 30 years of service to the College, Ernie Prudente is a Swarthmore institution. Prudente first came to the College in the fall of 1969 as a basketball and baseball head coach and a line coach for the football team. On the hardwood, he led the Garnet to its first winning season since 1950-51 and claimed eight consecutive victories over rival Haverford. In 12 seasons with the team, Prudente compiled 81 wins, second-most in program history. On the baseball diamond, his teams enjoyed continual success, but no squad was more accomplished than the 1985 team that finished with a 27-6 record and made the program's only appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Prudente was also named the MAC Southern Division Baseball Coach of the Year for his efforts. He became a full professor of physical education in 1992 and upon his retirement from baseball coaching in 1995, he had amassed a program-best 216 wins. Prudente is also the namesake for the athletics department's Ernie Prudente Sportsmanship Award given annually to the male and female athletes that, through their participation, have demonstrated the characteristics exemplified by Ernie: sportsmanship, love of the sport, and respect for their teammates.