WGCA Release; CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Five Illinois women's golfers have been named Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars, as announced by the organization today. Softball Coaches Schedule Roster Statistics Archived Stories Camps Additional Links. Additionally, Fischer is not only the Missouri Valley Conference's winningest coach of all-time, but also its winningest coach in conference play. Following her collegiate playing career at Iowa State, Durr spent two years as the head coach at Mohawk Valley Community College located in her hometown of Utica, N.Y. 99 can recall where football was not a part of his life. Olsons connection to the program extends ever farther back. Its been a transition, but its been a lot of fun, Kramos said. Email Address. On Feb. 28, 2020, Fischers Redbirds topped Austin Peay, 11-4, as she secured her 1,100th career win. Hicks, Kaili Then in 1995, her squad compiled 46 wins - the third-highest total by any team in ISU Athletics history - and claimed another conference title with a 19-1 MVC mark. Sickels closed out her stint in 2023 as the program's leader in career strikeout (714), strikeouts looking (204) and saves (19). She enters her 23rd season at Illinois State and her first at the helm of the program. Outsiders who saw the Illinois State University softball teams unflattering record after the first month of the season could have written off the Redbirds. Illinois State University softball coach Melinda Fischer announced her retirement on Sunday after 37 seasons with the Redbirds. She took over the Panther softball program after her first year, and in two years with EIU softball, Fischer led the Panthers to a 41-25 mark, including a 1980 season that saw Eastern Illinois crowned the Illinois Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (IAIAW) State Champion, which secured the Panthers a spot in the regional championship. Ive never seen anything like it,. The Assistant Coach of the Illinois State University Softball program is Elaiine Heflin. Only 28 head coaches in NCAA Division I softball can claim to have won 1,000 games in their coaching career with at least 10 years of Division I head coaching experience. We depend on your support to keep telling stories like this one. Kramos led Illinois State to one of the most successful offensive seasons in Missouri Valley Conference history in 2007, when the Redbirds established the league's single-season home run record with 83 round-trippers, 32 more than the previous record of 51. Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Head Softball Coach. A recipient of six conference coach of the year honors, Fischer led a coaching staff that was honored as both the MVC Coaching Staff of the Year and the Speedline/NFCA Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the year in 2006. University of Illinois Athletics Phone. Fischer leaves ISU as the winningest coach in Redbird history in any sport. You together with donors across the NPR Network create a more informed public. trarchibald@eiu.edu. Fischer's attraction to softball started well before she became head softball coach at Illinois State in the fall of 1985. 438-3866 438-3866 Kye Stewart Defensive Assistant Head Coach/Outside Linebackers RedbirdFootball@ilstu.edu 438-8671 438-8671 Ben Black Assistant Coach/Defensive Line bblack5@ilstu.edu 438-8671 438-8671 Cody Deti Assistant Coach/Safeties Early-season challenges helped prepare the Illinois State softball team for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. We all know in this profession that winning is very important and that certainly matters, but what really matters to me is the development of the student-athletes and the total experience they have during their careers. . His planned gift will benefit a softball player who is majoring in business. '75. A strong hitter and fielder with the Bears, Kramos still ranks first in the MSU annals for assists in a single season (152), and second-most in a career (487). Follow on Twitter - @CoachArchibald & @EIU_Softball. Kramos has helped manage every aspect of the softball program, while also being the third-longest tenured coach at Illinois State. He traded that standing, annual TV date with the draft for a life-changing professional experience. The former Mississippi State head coach spent nearly two decades in the SEC, also serving as an assistant coach at Alabama prior to her arrival in Champaign. I am so proud to have had the tremendous opportunity to lead this program for 37 years., ISU Athletics Director Kyle Brennan said Fischers legacy at Illinois State is forever etched in the history books and the profound impact she has had on our program and countless student-athletes over the years cannot be understated., Melinda has not only led our softball program with class and dignity over the past 37 years, but she has been a mentor to so many coaches, staff and administrators over the years helping them grow into the best versions of themselves, he said. "I am very fortunate to have been surrounded by many great people from Presidents, Athletic Directors, Athletic Administrators, Faculty, all our athletic staff, fans, supporters, alumni and most importantly, our coaches and student-athletes. She has consistently shown an ability to coach the Redbird hitters and outfielders into some of the finest in the Missouri Valley Conference, and now looks to lead the Redbirds back to the top of the MVC standings. Coaching Staff . As an assistant coach since 2001, Stuedeman helped the Crimson Tide go 579-150 from 2000-11 (.794), including a sparkling 243-70 record in SEC play. The official Softball page for the Illinois State University Redbirds. Fischer first became a member of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) in 1960 and has been appointed as an NCAA Regional representative for numerous regional tournaments, as well as serving on NCAA Regional ranking committees. Gracelyn Kemp, 2024 Softball Payton Brown, 2023 Softball Abby Horton, 2022 Softball Bailah Bognar, 2022 Softball Hannah Tomlianovich, 2022 Softball Hannah Meshnick, 2022 Softball Softball Coaches - University of Oregon Athletics The University will provide and require annual mandatory anti-hazing training for all coaches, staff members and student-athletes, with an emphasis on reporting options, the duties to report . The all-time winningest coach in Illinois State Athletics history. NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State Director of Athletics Kyle Brennanannounced Sunday evening that longtime Redbird softball assistant coach Tina Kramoshas been named the program's new head coach. Melinda Fischer, left, announced her retirement as Illinois State University softball coach, and athletics director Kyle Brennan named longtime assistant Tina Kramos to succeed her. College Coaches Showcase Camp | College Softball Prospects That was one of the main things I learned, Kramos said. Vestavia Hills HS, 1986-90 2023 Illinois State University, Normal, IL USA. There is certainly a very changing climate in the world of college athletics and I think its great to have somebody step into that and move that forward.. She's been inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame, ISU . Head Softball Coach: Toby Ring: Assistant Coach - Softball: View Full Bio 00 . Longtime Illinois State University softball assistant coach Tina Kramos was named head coach upon the retirement of longtime coach Melinda Fischer '72, M.S. As Melinda Fischer prepared to end a 54-year career in college athletics, she reflected on the first time she stepped on the Illinois State University campus as a student in 1968. COACHING CAREER "Vann Stuedeman is an accomplished veteran in our sport," shared Perry. She has served as chair of the NFCA All-American Committee and is currently the NFCA Convention Director. "I have been impressed and inspired by her stature as a leader, pioneer, and legend not only at Illinois State University, but in the larger realm of college sports." hcole1@ilstu.edu. Fact by fact, story by story. 8/28/2022 4:41:00 PM Fischer directed the Redbirds to national prominence, guiding the team to nine NCAA Regional appearances, 10 regular-season Missouri Valley Conference titles, two Gateway Conference regular-season championships, and five MVC Tournament titles. Fischer's 1,159 career victories, spread out among 39 seasons as a collegiate head coach (at both Eastern Illinois [1979-80] and Illinois State [1986-2022]), rank her as the 18th-winningest coach in NCAA Division I softball history. The official 2023 Softball Roster for the Illinois State University Redbirds. Fact by fact, story by story. Fischer ended her illustrious career as one of only 28 head coaches in NCAA Division I softball who have won 1,000 games in their coaching career. The NFCA's Distinguished Service Award was renamed the Melinda Fischer Distinguished Service Award on Oct. 8, 2018 to honor the longtime Redbird coach. The official Softball page for the Murray State University Racers. She's continued her historical rise through the career coaching ranks with her 1,000th-career win in an 8-2 victory over Northern Iowa in the MVC Tournament on May 8, 2015. * Enters fifth season during 2023-24 school year. 1490 Douglas Drive. Fischer said she plans to travel to watch the Redbird softball team when it travels south next February, but she will take a year off to decide whats next. She has dedicated her professional life to bettering this University and the game of softball, while being a beacon for equality for generations of female student-athletes. Tina Kramos will succeed Fischer as head coach. Janna Blais. Olson earned a spot in the Redbird record book with 16 single-season doubles, which is fifth in program history, and Kennedy hit a team leading 12 home runs, the most by a Redbird player since de los Reyes hit 19 in 2017. Shes been inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame, ISU Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame, and ISUs College of Applied Science and Technology Hall of Fame. Carbondale, IL 62901. "Melinda has not only led our softball program with class and dignity over the past 37 years, but she has been a mentor to so many coaches, staff and administrators over the years helping them grow into the best versions of themselves. Former Reggie Redbird Tim Pantaleone has decided to pay it forward by making a planned gift to the University. She became a graduate assistant coach for ISU's softball and basketball teams while completing a master's degree in physical education. Title. She added her long-term goal is to see renovations to ISU softballs home, Marian Kneer Stadium. Its humbling to follow a legend, said Kramos, adding that she also admired Fischers work in preparing her team before each game. Quick Links. Senior Associate Athletics Director - Finance & Administration | Chief Financial Officer (Sport Supervisor - Softball) 312-996-8523 312-996-8523. aedson@uic.edu. Softball - SIUE Email. Olson is still very much an unofficial captain, of course, and her experience and leadership will be relied upon at this weeks conference tournament. After facing those early-season challenges, Redbird softball hit its stride in time for its last non-conference tournament of the spring as it went a perfect 4-0 at a tournament at Murray State in early March. Fischer retires, Kramos takes over as head softball coach, Extra innings: Softball legend gives back with Redbirds, Attend all baseball and softball games for free in 2014, A former Reggie Redbird continues to inspire, Alum coach Melinda Fischer adds to legacy with 900th ISU win, Phoenix area alumni night at ISU softball game, February 16. Thats what Im not sure of.. 2023 Softball Roster. Prior to her coaching career, Kramos was a member of the Missouri State softball team from 1990-95 and was a two-time All-Valley First-Team selection. Seemingly a shoo-in to serve in the role for a fourth-straight season, Olson surprised her new head coach this spring. We all know in this profession that winning is very important and that certainly matters, but what really matters to me is the development of the student-athletes and the total experience they have during their careers. Knowing she would work her way back to NCAA Division I softball, Fischer started a three-year coaching stint at Eastern Illinois in 1976 and was originally hired as the head women's basketball coach, a post she held for three years. Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer, who retired after her 37th season (2021-22) at the helm of Redbird Softball, can claim both honors, in addition to many others. You've arrived! Her longtime assistant coach, Tina Kramos, was named her successor. Please take a moment to donate now and fund the local news our community needs. Fischer first became a member of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) in 1960 and has been appointed as an NCAA Regional representative for numerous regional tournaments, as well as serving on NCAA Regional ranking committees. Kramos has also mentored 10 NFCA All-Region selections since 2017, one of them this past season when Emme Olsonearned First Team All-Region honors. 2023 Illinois State University, Normal, IL USA, Hide/Show Additional Information For Dayna Kennedy, Hide/Show Additional Information For Abby Horton, Hide/Show Additional Information For Hanna Hicks, Hide/Show Additional Information For Chloe Jefferson, Hide/Show Additional Information For Emma Hicks, Hide/Show Additional Information For Kaili Chval, Hide/Show Additional Information For Brandi LaFountaine, Hide/Show Additional Information For Addison Masching, Hide/Show Additional Information For Delainey Bryant, Hide/Show Additional Information For Madi Bylak, Hide/Show Additional Information For Emme Olson, Hide/Show Additional Information For Bailah Bognar, Hide/Show Additional Information For Bella Wilkerson, Hide/Show Additional Information For Hannah Meshnick, Hide/Show Additional Information For Amanda Fox, Hide/Show Additional Information For Hannah Tomlianovich, Hide/Show Additional Information For Jayden Standish, Hide/Show Additional Information For Annie Volkers, Hide/Show Additional Information For Hannah Ross, Hide/Show Additional Information For Abby Knight, Hide/Show Additional Information For Hannah Meeks, Hartsburg, Ill. / Hartsburg-Emden & Olympia HS. Illinois State was 5-14 after the first four weeks of the season under the direction of first-year head coach Tina Kramos. Hailey Cole. The Redbirds took some lumps in early-season tournaments in Arizona and Kentucky, and a pair of Florida trips. Shes been senior associate head coach since 2017. For the last 10 years, I've been able to work beside the best volunteer assistant in the country," Chris Tamas stated. Before arriving at Illinois State, Kramos coached softball from 1995-97 at Colorado-Colorado Springs before she spent three years on the coaching staff at Nicholls State. Staff Directory - Northwestern Athletics With an 11-year age difference between the Olson sisters, Emme doesnt remember much of Abbys softball career. Prior to being handed the reins of the program, Kramoshad beenpromoted to her previous title ofsenior associate head coach on July 24, 2017, entering her 17th season with Illinois State.