St. John Fisher University Athletics

Bari Mance was hired to lead the decorated St. John Fisher softball program in 2013. Since her appointment, Mance has continued to build upon Fisher’s rich history after amassing a 251-102 and a .711 winning percentage.  Over nine seasons at the helm, Mance has grown Fisher into a national powerhouse having won three Empire 8 Championships and reaching the NCAA Division III Championship five times overall. 

Under Mance’s guidance, Fisher reached the Division III World Series for the first time in its history in 2016 and followed that up with a program-best 44 wins in 2017 en route to another appearance in the World Series and a national runner-up finish.  

With Mance in the dugout, Fisher has reached the postseason in each of the last eighth seasons and has captured three Empire 8 Regular Season titles since 2018.

A two-time Empire 8 Coach of the Year honoree, Mance has a history of recruiting some of the top talent in the region and beyond after having mentored countless All-Conference and All-Region selections.  Additionally, Mance has also coached four Empire 8 Player of the Year winners, four Empire 8 Pitchers of the Year and has had two players tabbed the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year.  She has also had three players earn seven All-America honors including Lindsey Thayer who graduated as Division III’s all-time leader with 1,540 career strikeouts.  
Prior to serving as the team’s head coach, Mance spent 10 seasons an assistant as Fisher held a 299-157-1 (.654) record.

As an assistant, Mance has also oversaw the Cardinals capturing four of the program's Empire 8 Championships.  The team also has made an appearance in the NCAA Championship in each of those years after earning the E8's automatic bid along with a 2012 at-large selection after finishing the season 33-12.

As a four-year letter-winner under hall-of-fame coach Len Maiorani, Mance was a member of the 1999 squad that set a then program record for wins in a season with 39, as a junior in 2001, she helped guide Fisher to its first-ever NCAA Division III Championship appearance.

For the eight years prior to becoming named the Cardinals' head coach, Mance worked in the Rochester City School District, teaching English along with other duties.
6/28/22