Former Southern Illinois coach Dr. Kay Brechtelsbauer passed away on Sunday morning.
Brechtelsbauer served as SIU’s head softball coach for 32 years from 1968-99, compiling a record of 633-438-2. She served more years as a head coach than any woman in SIU history and her teams posted winning records in 27 of her 32 seasons as head coach.
During her tenure as the Salukis’ leader, Brechtelsbauer led her team to five Women’s College World Series appearances, including the 1978 team that finished seventh at the AIAW Women’s College World Series.
A part of the SIU Hall of Fame induction class of 1994, Brechtelsbauer still stands in 5th place all-time in coaching wins in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The field where the Salukis’ softball program currently play is monikered after the Hall of Fame coach, having been dedicated as Kay Brechtelsbauer Field in 2016.
In a statement, recently-retired SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock said, “Coach Brechtelsbauer was a trailblazer in the sport of softball. She had such an unbelievable impact on me and so many student athletes in her 32 years at SIU as the Head Softball Coach. She thrived in a time of low budgets, travel difficulties and facility issues. She taught all of us so many valuable lessons. She loved SIU and made this her home. She literally changed the course of my life with one phone call and a job offer. She will be missed by everyone of her athletes and assistant coaches that worked with her.”
