Aaron Moore

The last time Morton College hired a coach from the ranks at Roosevelt University with the first name of Aaron and a five-letter last name, it turned out to be a great match.

In three years, Aaron Rolle guided the men’s basketball team at Morton College to a pair of conference championships, a Region IV championship and an appearance in the NJCAA Division II national tournament.

Morton College is hoping to capture the same magic for its softball program with the selection of Aaron Moore as the Panthers’ new head coach. Moore spent the previous five years at Roosevelt University and was named the Chicagoland Athletic Collegiate Conference (CCAC) Coach of the Year in 2021 for leading the Lakers to a school-record 37-15 mark.

Moore’s success isn’t limited to the college ranks. He also was the general manager of the Chicago Bandits from 2009 to 2017 and the Rockford Thunder from 2006 to 2009. Moore also has experience coaching at the high school and travel ranks.

The Bandits won three National Pro Fastpitch championships and sold out all but two home games at Parkway Bank Stadium in Rosemont during Moore’s final season.

As general manager, Moore wore a number of hats. He oversaw player personnel, budgeting, travel and sponsorships. He secured a media contracts with Beacon Academy and others to have all Bandits games, home and away, aired.

Moore’s been associated with the game’s elite, including Jennie Finch, Monica Abbott and Amber Patton with the Bandits.

“They were great players and great people,” Moore recalled. “They understood the mission of what we were trying to do – build the game.”

Moore’s goal is to build Morton College’s softball program. The Panthers last tasted success with conference championships in 1993 and 1995. He’s got a good base to build off as last year’s team hit a school-record 36 home runs and returns Skyway Conference Player of the Year Jacklyn Roney.

“Our goals are to win, graduate players and help them move on to four-year schools,” Moore said. “We’re working on creating a culture and a mind-set. We want to our players to understand that they are good enough to compete. We want to take steps to get better every day.”

Moore is impressed by Morton College’s commitment to succeed, all the way from top-notch facilities to support of College President Stan Fields.

“I want to thank Morton College’s Jason Nichols (athletic director) and Dr. Fields (college president) for the opportunity,” Moore said. “To see Dr. Fields meet and speak with our coaching staff was awesome. We’ve got a great facility for recruiting and retention. Hopefully, we can build something special here.”

Moore is from Northglenn, Colorado, a suburb outside of Denver. He has a degree in communications from Colorado State University Pueblo.