Nicholas A. Gabardina ’53

Nicholas A. Gabardina ’53, of Manchester, N.H.; Oct. 11. In addition to being a high school teacher for 37 years, he coached several different sports for more than 50 years. He served in the U.S. Army for two years and followed military service with a position coaching at East Little League and South Little League. In 1956 he was hired to teach and coach at Manchester Central High School. He coached football, basketball, and baseball. In 1958 he was appointed head coach of the Post 79 American Legion baseball program and held that position for 18 years. He moved on to be a volunteer assistant offensive line coach for the University of New Hampshire football team in 1960. In 1963 he headed to Manchester West to coach their football program. In 1972 he joined the faculty at Manchester Memorial as a member of the social studies department and head coach of the varsity baseball team. That position was  followed by ten years as coach of Saint Anselm College’s baseball team. In 1992 he coached Saint Anselm’s varsity women’s fast-pitch softball team. The College rewarded him for his dedication and service with the Varsity “A” Letter of Special Merit Award in 1992. In 2017 he was officially inducted into the Saint Anselm College Athletics Hall of Fame. Because of his ability to assess a player’s potential, the Cincinnati Reds appointed him as a scout for their National League ball club. He is survived by a niece and her husband and numerous friends.