Also, on New Year’s Day 2022, we’ll list all 15 of the top stories of the year as well as run 15 more that were considered.
We’ve surveyed the softball community and talked internally as well to come up with what were the most impactful and relevant stories of the year pertaining to the world of fastpitch softball.
Where applicable, we are providing the text to the original articles and/or references when the story first happened.
To provide comments, insights or thoughts, email: [email protected].
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Today’s Story of the Year: #7
College Coaching Legends Retire
The mark of a great coach is the impact they leave behind when they’re no longer an active part of the game. This summer, we saw a number of top-level coaches end their careers on their own terms.
Legendary Arizona head coach Mike Candrea – currently the all-time wins leader and arguably the greatest head coach of all-time – turned over the reins of the Arizona program with which he has been synonymous for decades. Whether from his tenure at UA or his medal-winning leadership of the US National Team, every softball fan knows Candrea’s name and influence on the game of softball. He abdicated the UA head coaching role to alumnus and longtime assistant Caitlin Lowe, but the game as a whole will miss Candrea’s voice and reason on a regular basis.
Tennessee co-head coach Ralph Weekly retired after the season, following two decades sharing the program’s leadership with wife Karen. Ralph Weekly coached at UT-Chattanooga before taking over at Tennessee, and the Weeklys led the Lady Vols to the first WCWS championship series appearance by an SEC team and seven total appearances in Oklahoma City. Weekly was also one of few active coaches who served in the military.
Lu Harris-Champer took Southern Miss to the Women’s College World Series twice at the turn of the century, then headed to Athens, Georgia and promptly turned the Bulldogs into a perennial contender. She led the program to annual NCAA tournament berths for two full decades, as well as five WCWS berths. She went out on top of her game, leading the Bulldogs on a come-from-behind, upset-filled run to Oklahoma City after finishing 11th in the SEC regular-season standings.
Gary Bryce was the winningest coach ever in DII softball. Photo – Wayne State Athletics.
All-time Division II wins leader Gary Bryce retired after four decades leading Wayne State, while former Mississippi State, Missouri, and Hofstra head coach Jay Miller also announced his retirement after leading the Pride program for three seasons.
Note: in our 2020 Extra Elite 100 College Coach Rankings, Bryce was listed at #15 overall… here’s what we wrote about him last December:
15—Gary Bryce (Wayne State) D2
The winningest coach in Division II history, Bryce is also one of the longest-tenured leaders in the entirety of college softball. He enters his 40th season as the head coach at Wayne State, and has recorded 1,317 wins during his tenure with the program. A 2008 inductee into the NFCA Hall of Fame, Bryce has coached 41 All-Americans; six conference Players of the Year; and reached the D2 World Series three times, in 2003; 2010; and 2014. He is an 11-time conference Coach of the Year and owns 17 conference championships in his career.
A “changing of the guard” is an expected occurrence in any sport’s coaching fraternity, but this group’s long-lasting impact and influence on the game will leave them particularly missed.
— Justin McLeod, Extra Inning Softball
To provide comments, insights or thoughts, email: [email protected].
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Here are some of the articles Extra Inning Softball published honoring those who retired and also news of their replacements…
Breaking News: Georgia Head Coach Lu Harris-Champer Announces Retirement
Originally published June 6, 2021, on Extra Inning Softball
Lu Harris-Champer announced her retirement on Sunday after 21 years of coaching at Georgia.
The following was released by the Georgia Sports Information Department Sunday afternoon…
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After 25 seasons as a collegiate head softball coach, including 21 at the University of Georgia, head softball coach Lu Harris-Champer has announced her retirement.
“A decision like this is always difficult, particularly when you work at a wonderful institution like the University of Georgia,” Harris-Champer said. “I am beyond grateful for my time here in Athens. I was truly blessed to work with tremendous colleagues and coach amazing student-athletes that mean so much to me. This decision came down to family. It was the right time for me to step away from the team and institution I love, while still being lucky enough to have more time with my children before they graduate high school. I am thankful to Coach Dooley for giving me this opportunity and to Greg McGarity and the entire UGAAA family for all of their support on and off the field. I will always be proud of my time here.”
“Coach Harris-Champer has had a tremendous career,” J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks said. “We were so lucky to have her lead our program from infancy to relevancy in the juggernaut softball conference that is the SEC. She built a strong foundation that we can build on and left a legacy of players and coaches that compete with integrity, toughness and pride. We are going to miss having her around the athletics department and the softball program. We are all better for having worked with her.”
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Lu for the entirety of her tenure at UGA and I have worked directly with softball for the last 10 years,” Deputy Athletic Director for Finance Stephanie Ransom said. “Her competitive spirit and tenacity shine through in all she does, and her teams reflect that by playing with toughness and grit. She leads by example with tremendous work ethic and attention to detail, while always insisting on excellence. She will be greatly missed on and off the field.”
Lu Harris-Champer took teams to 23 NCAA Tournaments and to the WCWS seven times. Photo: 960 The Reef.
Harris-Champer’s career spanned 25 seasons as a college head coach, amassing over 1,100 victories. She took teams to 23 NCAA Tournaments and seven Women’s College World Series appearances. She concludes her career in the top-25 all-time in NCAA victories with 1,168. In her career, 23 student-athletes have earned All-America status 38 times from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
She began her head coaching career at Nicholls State (1996-97) before taking over at Southern Miss for two seasons (1999-2000). She guided Nicholls to 94 wins in just two seasons and berths in the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Regionals. In two seasons in Hattiesburg, Harris-Champer took the Golden Eagles to back-to-back Women’s College World Series and 115 victories.
Harris-Champer, just the second head softball coach in the Georgia’s history, came to Athens prior to the 2001 season. Since then, she guided Georgia to 959 victories, two Southeastern Conference championships (2003, 2005), one SEC Tournament title (2014), 19-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, 11 Super Regionals, and five trips to Oklahoma City including final four appearances in 2009 and 2010. She was named Coach of the Year three times by the SEC (2003, 2005, 2018).
A total of 20 Georgia Bulldogs have earned NFCA All-America status 33 times under Harris-Champer’s tutelage while nearly 80 have earned All-SEC recognition and have been named NFCA All-Region honorees. Georgia carried the SEC Player of the Year once (Kim Wendland, 2005), SEC Pitcher of the Year twice (Michelle Green, 2003, 2005), and SEC Freshman of the Year once (Geri Ann Glasco, 2013). Harris-Champer’s student-athletes have appeared as finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year nine times. A total of 14 players have been drafted to play professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch league.
Off the field of play, Georgia softball has produced a student-athlete on the SEC Academic Honor Roll 145 times to date and 39 on the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll. 17 student-athletes have been named to the SEC Softball Community Service Team. Bulldogs earned CoSIDA Academic All-District distinction 12 times and two (Katie Lewis, 2005, Kasi Carroll, 2006, 2007) were named CoSIDA Academic All-America.
Numerous student-athletes have followed in Harris-Champer’s footsteps and joined the coaching ranks.
Associate Head Coach Tony Baldwinwill serve as interim head coach. A national search will begin immediately.
Over 1,100 victories, 23 NCAA Tournaments and 7 trips to the #WCWS…
College News: Univ. of Georgia Assistant Coach Tony Baldwin Tabbed to Head the Bulldog Softball Team
Originally published June 21, 2021, on Extra Inning Softball
Tony Baldwin has been announced as the new head coach for Georgia softball.
The following information was released by the Georgia Bulldog Sports Information Department on Monday, June 21, 2021…
Director of Georgia Athletics Josh Brooks has announced Tony Baldwin as the next head coach of the University of Georgia softball program.
Josh Brooks, Georgia Director of Athletics.
Baldwin becomes the third head coach in the 25-year history of Georgia softball and this is Baldwin’s first head coaching job; he has served on the Georgia coaching staff under Lu Harris-Champer for nine seasons.
During Baldwin’s tenure on staff, Georgia has appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments (no tournament in 2020). The Bulldogs have advanced to six Super Regionals and three appearances in the Women’s College World Series (2016, 2018, 2021). The Bulldogs are one of eight teams to make three or more appearances in Oklahoma City in the last five World Series.
“When you lose an incredible leader like Coach Lu (Harris-Champer), it is vital that your replacement has the ability build on established success and continue to elevate the program,” Brooks said.
“After a competitive search, I am confident we found the right person, leader and coach in Coach Baldwin. The outpouring of support for Tony from alumni and the nation’s most respected coaches was impressive, but it was the strength of his internal and external relationships, his recruiting prowess, particularly in the state of Georgia, and his coaching reputation that set him apart. Tony has the combination of skill and leadership to ensure we are winning championships and making regular appearances in the Women’s College World Series.”
“I am extremely honored and thankful for the opportunity to lead the University of Georgia softball program,” Baldwin said.
“I am deeply appreciative that President Morehead, Athletic Director Josh Brooks, Senior Deputy Athletic DirectorDarrice Griffin, and Deputy Athletic Director Stephanie Ransom have entrusted me with this opportunity. I have so much pride for this program, all that it stands for, and the women that have built it. Today truly is a dream come true. I am humbled and so very honored to represent them as their head coach.
Tony Baldwin, Head Softball Coach for Georgia.
“This is an exciting time for Georgia Softball,” Baldwin continued. “Team 25 was a special group that achieved some exciting accomplishments. I am looking forward to getting Team 26 on campus and getting to work!”
Baldwin’s tenure in Athens includes a stint as the volunteer coach from 2011-12 before rejoining the staff in June 2014 as an assistant coach. He was promoted to associate head coach following the 2016 season.
Coach Baldwin has served as the Bulldogs’ offensive coach and recruiting coordinator and Georgia has prided itself on keeping the state’s best talent at home as every roster since 2017 has featured at least 50 percent in-state student-athletes.
Two members of the 2021 signing class were ranked as Top 20 recruits [in the Extra Elite 100], both from Georgia [#15-ranked Kylie Macy, a pitcher, and #16-rated Lyndi Rae Davis, a catcher].
Under Baldwin’s tutelage, four Bulldogs have earned All-America honors including Alex Hugo, Cortni Emanual, Tino Iosefa, and Alyssa DiCarlo. His players have garnered 25 All-Region awards and 22 All-SEC honors from 2015-21.
Georgia hitters have thrived under Baldwin’s guidance in Athens. The Bulldogs have hit over .300 and slugged over .500 in five of the last seven seasons, having hit 415 home runs in that span including 83 in 2021.
In 2019, Baldwin had the privilege of serving as an assistant coach of the USA Softball U-19 team. The U-19 women’s national team brought home the bronze at the USA Softball International Cup.
USA concluded the summer winning the 2019 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup, becoming the first team to win three consecutive U-19 World Cup titles.
Before returning to Athens, Baldwin was an assistant coach at North Carolina. Under Baldwin’s guidance, three Tar Heels were named to the 2014 All-ACC Team.
Prior to his first stint at Georgia as volunteer coach, Baldwin spent 14 years coaching Division I baseball. Baldwin was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Michigan State from 2006-08.
Before Michigan State, Baldwin was the assistant head baseball coach at Dartmouth College from 2003-05 after serving as the assistant coach from 1999-2003. Baldwin was the assistant coach at Butler University, his alma mater, from 1994-99, and was the head coach of the Decatur Blues, of the Central Illinois Collegiate League, in 1999.
A native of Bloomington, Indiana, Baldwin graduated from Butler in 1995 with a degree in finance. He was a four-year starter at catcher for the Bulldogs. In 1994, he served as a team captain for the Bulldogs and earned All-MCC honors.
Baldwin and his wife Suzanne have four children: Ella, Abby, Brady, and Katie.
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Breaking News: Legendary Head Coach Mike Candrea Announces Retirement After Leading Arizona to Eight National Titles, Most Wins In NCAA Softball History
Originally published June 7, 2021, on Extra Inning Softball
Mike Candrea has announced his retirement after a career spanning over three decades. Image: Arizona Softball.
The following release was issued today by the University of Arizona’s SID Dept…
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Mike Candrea of Arizona has done it all: won national championships, set coaching records and won at the Olympic level.
In a coaching career that spanned four decades, Mike Candrea established a legacy of elevating the game of softball, growing women’s sports, and helping build a program and athletics department at the University of Arizona that became synonymous with championships.
Candrea was able to achieve all of that and more over the course of 36 seasons as thousands of student-athletes, coaches, staff members and fans had their lives changed for the better by a man affectionately known as “Coach”.
“It has been an honor to represent the University of Arizona for 36 years,” said Candrea. “I am indebted to every player, coach and member of my support staff that has made the Arizona softball experience one that I will cherish forever. When I arrived in 1985, I wanted to build a culture of excellence and compete consistently at the highest levels of Division 1 softball. Most of all, our goa was to prepare our student-athletes for life after softball and build relationships that would last a lifetime.”
With the Hall of Famer’s official retirement as head coach of Arizona Softball on Monday, the all-time winningest coach in the history of the sport begins to pen a new set of chapters of his story.
Coach Candrea led 24 teams to the Women’s College World Series. Photo Arizona Athletics.
Candrea’s coaching career goes beyond the utterly impressive statistics:
Eight national championships
24 appearances in the Women’s College World Series
34 postseason berths
10 conference championships
over 50 All-Americans coached
Olympic gold and silver medals
1,674 career wins
The jaw-dropping nature of that resume transcends just softball as Candrea tallied the fourth most wins of any coach in any NCAA sport.
Dave Heeke, Arizona Director of Athletics.
“Over his four decades as the head coach of Arizona Softball, Mike Candrea established himself as one of the most iconic coaches, of any sport, in college athletics history,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke.
“While his impact on the game is widely recognized, his legacy is in the lives of the thousands of Wildcats who he coached. Mike’s career embodied true excellence in all facets of leading a softball program — winning on the field, student-athlete success in the classroom and developing them for life after graduation. He established a championship culture within Arizona Athletics that permeates throughout our department, and represented our state with honor and distinction. Mike is the epitome of a Wildcat for Life who coached, mentored and developed countless other Wildcats for Life.
On behalf of the entire Wildcat Family, I want to thank Mike for his immeasurable impact on our university. Mike, his wife Tina, and the entire Candrea family have been incredible supporters of Arizona Athletics and the University of Arizona and left an everlasting impact on all our lives. Thank you for defining the Wildcat Way and for what it means to Bear Down. Thank you for everything you did for the game of softball, for college athletics, and for the University of Arizona.”
Dr. Robert C. Robbins, President of Arizona.
Coach Candrea became the face of a sport. He became a figure in the lives of the many young women he coached. He became an idol for new generations of coaches. You can see all of that and more in the tributes filling social media after the Wildcats’ final game of 2021.
“Over the past 36 years, Coach Mike Candrea has built Arizona Softball into one of the premier programs in the country,” said University of Arizona President Dr. Robert C. Robbins.
“His legacy is unmatched: 8 national titles, 1600+ wins, and – more importantly – the countless students who have told me their lives are better because he was their coach and mentor. As he retires, I know the impact of his example and leadership at the University of Arizona will continue for new generations of Wildcats. Truly an all-time great.
While the iconic coach may be retiring from his official duties, he will continue to be a part of the Arizona Athletics family in an advisory role as well as assisting with coaching development for the athletics department.
Arizona Athletics will host a farewell press conference for the Arizona icon on Tuesday, June 8 at McKale Center.
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Coach Candrea led Arizona to 34 straight postseasons.
CANDREA’S HALL OF FAME CAREER
NCAA softball leader in wins (1,674)
On April 19, 2019, became the fastest coach in NCAA history, any division, any sport, to accumulate 1,600 wins.
Fifth-most Division I victories of any coach in any sport.
Has led Arizona to eight national championships, more than any coach in NCAA Softball history.
Arizona has made 24 trips to the Women’s College World Series in his tenure, missing just eight times in the last 32 years.
Under Candrea, Arizona has a spectacular postseason record of 178-65.
The Wildcats have played in an NCAA-record 34 consecutive postseasons.
Fifty-three All-Americans with a staggering 108 total citations have played in the program since Candrea took over.
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Coaching News: Arizona Announces Caitlin Lowe as New Wildcat Head Softball Coach
Originally published June 7, 2021, on Extra Inning Softball
For the first time in more than three decades, the University of Arizona will have a new head softball coach.
Just hours after Mike Candrea announced his retirement after 36 years as head coach at the University of Arizona, the Pac-12 school announced that former Wildcat standout player Caitlin Lowe would be taking the helm.
Here’s the official release from the Arizona Sports Information Department on Monday…
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Coach Candrea says of the new hire: “Without a doubt, Caitlin is the best person to continue the Arizona legacy into the future.”
Following the retirement of legendary head coach Mike Candrea on Monday, Arizona Athletics has announced the promotion of Caitlin Lowe, who has been chosen as the next head coach of Arizona Softball.
One of the best players in Arizona history and the history of the sport, Lowe has spent the last nine seasons under Candrea and will now become the Wildcats’ seventh head coach in program history.
“Coach Candrea has built a culture of excellence that puts his players at the forefront,” said Lowe. “He has shown us all what it looks like to fiercely pursue our passion. He has led this team with integrity, class, and the upmost humility. I could not have asked for a better mentor in this game and most importantly in life. I take great pride in carrying on the tradition of what it means to be an Arizona Wildcat. I am so honored and extremely humbled to represent Tucson and the University of Arizona as your next head coach. Bear Down!”
Caitlow Lowe, the new head coach of Arizona softball.
Lowe learned under Coach Candrea as a player both at Arizona and the U.S. Olympic Team and then for the last decade on his staff.
“Caitlin Lowe has been a super star her entire life,” said Candrea. “From her days as a four-time All-American at the University of Arizona to being a member of our USA Olympic Team to the National Pro Fastpitch league. Caitlin is special and she has continued that growth and success as the associate head coach for Arizona Softball. She is bright, a good communicator, understands what it takes having been there as an athlete, and the players love her. Without a doubt, Caitlin is the best person to continue the Arizona legacy into the future. She will be a super star for many years to come.”
Lowe was an outstanding player at the sport’s highest levels, succeeding collegiately at Arizona, professionally with the USSSA Pride and internationally with Team USA, before returning her to alma mater to join Candrea’s staff for the 2013 team. Lowe served as the program’s director of operations in 2013 and then the volunteer assistant coach in 2014 before joining the coaching staff full time in 2015. She has served as the team’s associate head coach for the last four seasons, and will now take over as head coach for the 2022 season.
Dave Heeke, Arizona Director of Athletics.
“We are excited to have Caitlin Lowe lead our storied softball program,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. “Caitlin represents championship excellence as a student-athlete, coach and alumni of our nationally-renowned program. Her experience playing and coaching the game at the highest levels are the foundation of her outstanding coaching pedigree. She has played a key role in the program’s legacy under hall of fame coach Mike Candrea and established herself as a rising star in softball coaching. I look forward to Arizona Softball’s future as it continues its first-class success on the field, in the classroom and in our community.”
Lowe, a letterwinner from 2004-07, boasts some of the most impressive credentials in her time with the sport. A two-time national champion (2006 and 2007), Lowe’s name is scattered throughout the Arizona record books: Lowe remains second in batting average (.446), fourth in hits (351), fourth in triples (12), seventh in runs scored (242) and first in stolen bases (156). She was unanimously named the greatest centerfielder of all time, both by a fan vote and by the 7Innings Podcast crew in its Greatest Softball Team of All-Time.
In 2007, Lowe was awarded the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, given annually to the senior displaying excellence in the community, the classroom, character and in competition, as well as the adidas Golden Shoe Award, given to the nation’s best base-stealer. The Tustin, Calif., native was a two-time finalist for the Honda Softball Award (2005 and 2007) as well as a finalist for the USA Softball Player of the Year in 2005.
Lowe is one of only six Wildcat players to be named an NFCA All-American in each of her four years with the program and joined Leah Braatz (1994, 95, 97, 98) as the only player in Arizona history to be awarded first-team All-America all four years.
An Olympian in 2008, Lowe took home the silver medal competing for Team USA under Head Coach Mike Candrea. Lowe competed for Team USA from 2005-2008.
One of the best centerfielders and leadoff hitters in the sport’s history, Lowe has become an even better coach. She has made in immeasurable impact with UA’s outfielders and its offense. Over the last five seasons with Lowe on staff, Arizona has a Pac-12 Championship, two trips to the Women’s College World Series and four 40-win seasons, including a 52-9 year in 2017.
Lowe will be introduced on Wednesday in a press conference at McKale Center. It will bestreamed live beginning at 10:30 a.m. MST.
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Breaking News: Legendary Tennessee Vols Coach Ralph Weekly Announces Retirement; Karen Weekly Agrees to Extension
Originally published June 23, 2021, on Extra Inning Softball
Ralph Weekly has announced his retirement from coaching while Karen Weekly has received a contract extension. Image: Tennessee Athletics.
Tennessee softball co-head coach Ralph Weeklyannounced his retirement Wednesday, after a decorated 35-year coaching career highlighted by 20 years at the helm of the Lady Vols program.
Karen Weeklywill assume all head coaching responsibilities after leading the program alongside her husband for the last 20 years. She has agreed to a contract extension through June of 2025.
Karen Weekly before a game in 2019. Photo By Maury Neipris/Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Athletics looks forward to recognizing and celebrating Ralph Weekly during the Lady Vols’ 2022 softball season.
“First, I’d like to acknowledge the extraordinary tenure and legacy of Ralph Weekly,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “He and Karen have built Tennessee softball into one of the top programs in all of college softball. Ralph has given his all for Tennessee for more than two decades, and he certainly elevated the stature of our program in every facet during that span.
“And with Karen Weekly continuing to lead our program, we are uniquely positioned to maintain the winning tradition that she and Ralph have worked so long to establish. Karen’s passion for Lady Vols softball and developing strong young women remains fierce, and we’re excited to support her and her staff as they continue to pursue championships.”
“I have worked every day since I entered the military at age 17,” Coach Weekly said. “I have had a fulfilling life as a father, husband, student, soldier, special agent, teacher and coach. In every endeavor, I have been surrounded by amazing people whose talents allowed me to succeed and made me a better person. I thank Joan Cronan for hiring us at Tennessee and allowing Karen and I to mentor and coach hundreds of wonderful young women.”
“I was fortunate to work with many fantastic coaches and administrators, to include the legendary Pat Summitt. I thank every player I ever coached for their commitment to excellence on and off the playing field. Each player, male or female, has a place in my heart. I will always be a VFL and cherish the memories I made at each stop. Most of all, I thank my family for their support, patience and counsel. Karen is the smartest person I have ever known. I know she will make Tennessee softball even greater and continue our quest for a national championship.”
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RALPH WEEKLY LEAVES LASTING LEGACY
Ralph Weekly has a 1,450-481-2 (.750) career record that includes stints at Pacific Lutheran (1986-94), Chattanooga (1995-98, 2001) and Tennessee (2002-2021). He is No. 4 all-time among NCAA softball coaches in career wins.
During Ralph Weekly’s tenure at Tennessee, the Lady Vols have become one of the nation’s premier programs. UT has reached the postseason every year since 2004, hosted 16 straight NCAA Regionals, advanced to 11 Super Regionals and made seven trips to the Women’s College World Series, placing in the top-3 on five occasions, including two national runner-up finishes.
Monica Abbott, the NCAA career strikeout leader, flourished under the tutelage of the Weeklys.
Tennessee captured the 2007 SEC regular-season title under his stewardship and won the SEC Tournament title in 2006 and 2011. Ralph was named SEC Co-Coach of the Year with Karen in 2004 and 2007.
Under the Weeklys, Tennessee and the SEC reached new heights as the Lady Vols became the first SEC team to reach No. 1 in the polls, spending 11 consecutive weeks at the top during the 2007 season. That same season, UT became the first SEC program to reach the best-of-three NCAA Championship Series.
The Weeklys recruited and coached NCAA career strikeout leader Monica Abbott—along with numerous other Lady Vol greats—establishing the framework for an era of success and ascension that led to the construction of Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, which opened in 2008. Between 2004 and 2013, Tennessee put together seven 50-win seasons, including three straight 60-plus-win campaigns in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
The 2005 season was especially sweet, as UT won a program-best 67 games, made its first WCWS appearance and began its streak of hosting NCAA Regionals.
A 2011 NFCA Hall of Fame inductee, Ralph Weekly is tied with Karen Weekly as the second-winningest coach in Tennessee Athletics history with a 949-300-2 (.759) mark, trailing only the legendary Pat Summitt.
The Weeklys’ Tennessee players have earned 38 All-America recognitions, 93 All-SEC or SEC All-Freshman selections and 75 NFCA All-Region picks. The list of accolades also includes Abbott and Madison Shipman being named Honda award winners for softball in 2007 and 2014, respectively. In addition, 14 Lady Vols have been selected in the National Pro Fastpitch Draft.
Ralph and Karen Weekly during a press conference in2019. Photo By Summer Simmons/Tennessee Athletics.
In addition to his time in collegiate softball, Ralph Weekly won a pair of gold medals with Team USA softball in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. He also served as the Director of USA National Teams from 1999-2002, and coached Team USA in 15 international tournaments. His teams won gold medals in all 15 events, including four World Championships and two Pan-American championships. Ralph Weekly also wrote the original High-Performance Plan for USA Softball Olympic Teams which allocated, for the first time ever, financial stipends for Team USA members to train and compete for Olympic and World softball championships.
As Director of USA National Teams – both men and women – Ralph Weekly partnered with then San Diego Padres owner John Moores and the City of Chula Vista, California, to fund and build a softball training and competition site for elite athletes at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. Team USA softball players trained there for all national and international events from 1998-2008.
Ralph Weekly began his coaching career in the United States Air Force, where he accumulated many championships at a variety of levels. He piloted squads to three All-Armed Forces World Titles, seven state titles at the United States Softball Association (USSA) level and three USSA Western World Championships.
Having retired from the United States Air Force in 1986, Ralph Weekly was the commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations at McChord Air Force Base in Washington state in his last duty assignment. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for outstanding service in the Vietnam War. Weekly is a 1973 graduate of Arizona State University and has completed course work for a master’s degree in International Relations from Pacific Lutheran.
“It has been one of the great privileges of my life to coach alongside my husband, Ralph,” Karen Weekly said. “He is a winner and a builder, leaving a legacy of outstanding programs and facilities everywhere he’s coached. He is a champion for women and has fought for equal opportunities for the young women he’s coached at every stop during his career. Not many people get to share this journey with their best friend and life partner – I consider myself incredibly blessed. We are fortunate that he will remain as a special advisor to our program and continue to impart his wisdom and experience to the future of Tennessee softball.”
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KAREN WEEKLY ENERGIZED TO CONTINUE LEADING LADY VOLS
Well prepared and long qualified to assume sole leadership of the program she and her husband have built into a national power, Karen Weekly is conducting a national search for an assistant coach to join a Tennessee staff that includes pitching coach Megan Rhodes-Smith.
Karen Weekly was inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in 2018.
A 2018 NFCA Hall of Fame inductee, Karen Weekly boasts a career record of 1,172-397-2 (.746), with 949 of those wins coming at Tennessee. Alongside Ralph Weekly, she is the second-winningest coach in Tennessee Athletics history.
Over her 25-year head coaching career, Karen Weekly’s teams have averaged 47 wins per year and have never won fewer than 32 games in a full season.
The former NFCA President began her coaching career with Ralph Weekly at Pacific Lutheran where she served as his top assistant from 1988-94. The Weekly’s arrived in Tennessee in 1995 as they took charge of Chattanooga’s softball program.
Following seven seasons during which their teams won five Southern Conference regular-season and five SoCon tournament titles and made a pair of NCAA appearances, Ralph and Karen Weekly left Chattanooga for Rocky Top in 2001 to begin their journey of building the Lady Vols into one of the nation’s premier softball programs.
Mike Candrea – Former Arizona Head Coach
“Ralph has been a great ambassador for our game at the college and International level for many years. His success at Tennessee is a tribute to his passion to help his athletes achieve at the highest levels! Ralph will be missed by many! Job well done!”
Carol Hutchins of Michigan.
Carol Hutchins – Michigan Head Coach
“He has certainly earned his retirement and every accolade that has come his way. He helped build Tennessee into a championship contender and lead Team USA to many gold medals during his career with the national team. Ralph is a champion of the game and one of the greats, and will be remembered because he has left his mark on both collegiate and international softball.”
Patrick Murphy – Alabama Head Coach
“Ralph is an icon in the game of softball. He taught me to respect the opponent win or lose and to never make excuses after a loss. All of us at Alabama wish him a great retirement and an open invitation to any game at The Rhoads House.”
Jo Evans – Texas A&M Head Coach
“The biggest thing for me is Ralph has always been an advocate for softball and growing the game. His impact on USA softball and impact he has made on Tennessee has been profound.”
Rachel Lawson – Kentucky Head Coach
“Ralph Weekly is undeniably a legend in the sport of softball. He has helped grow the game not only regionally and nationally, but internationally. He’s coached with class and dignity every step of the way during his illustrious career. Personally, I want to thank Ralph for his friendship over the years and I wish him great health and happiness in retirement.”
Dot Richardson of Liberty
Dot Richardson – Liberty Head Coach
“Ralph has been an amazing presence in the sport of softball both at the collegiate, national and international levels. I have had the privilege to play for him at the Olympics and to coach against him during his tenure at the University of Tennessee. Ralph loves people and the sport of fastpitch softball. Because of his servant heart, he has been a trailblazer who has impacted the direction of the game. He has been a tremendous force on different committees throughout the years whose decisions have opened doors of opportunity for so many. Ralph cares deeply about making a positive impact in the lives of others both on and off the field and he has. Ralph, you will be missed!”
Monica Abbott – Lady Vol (2004-07)
“Ralph has been a big influence in the sport of softball for so long, he was a big proponent of softball getting into the Olympic games with the 1996 team. His knowledge about the game and pushing the game forward. At the time when Ralph was in his prime there was few and far between where people would be a champion for women athletes and Ralph Weekly was one of those. He was a champion for sport, the sport of softball and the sport of female athletes. He believed in a future that not a lot of people always saw and he fought for it. He fought for Sherri Parker Lee Stadium when we were at Tyson Park and he fought hard to get me to commit to Tennessee. Ralph could have been the head coach all alone, but he fought to get co-head coaches. He saw the value in women’s sports and pushing the game further and further ahead to kind of where we see it today.”
Chelsea Seggern, Tennessee
Sarah Fekete – Lady Vol (2003-06)
“It was an honor to play for Coach Weekly. He has given so much to the sport of softball over the last 20-30 years. But, more importantly, he has enriched the lives of so many student-athletes. Thank you for giving to the game and congratulations on your retirement!”
Madison Shipman – Lady Vol (2011-14)
“Ralph was a huge part in turning Tennessee into one of the top softball programs in the country. I want to thank him not only for what he did on the softball field but for what he did for our country off the field. I will forever be thankful for the sacrifices he made in the Air Force to fight for our freedoms and to allow girls like me to play the sport that we love. Ralph, thank you for recruiting me to be a Lady Volunteer and congratulations on a tremendous career.”
Meghan Gregg – Lady Vol (2015-18)
“When hearing that Ralph was retiring after such a successful coaching career, I think about the lasting impact he is leaving on Tennessee softball. As a co-head coach, Ralph demanded excellence and grit out of every single one of his players. I feel that Ralph helped shape me into the strong woman I am today. He knew what potential each player had and expected nothing less. These high standards and how much he cared for each one of us always stood out to me. I am excited for Ralph to be able to step back and enjoy the sport that he has spent so many years helping build up and grow. I am thankful to have been coached by Ralph in the sport I love most.”
Chelsea Seggern – Lady Vol (2017-21)
“Ralph is a huge part of why the game of softball has grown and is as popular as it is today. He has invested much of his life on creating an opportunity for women to show their physical strength and passion for the game at a high level. When I look back at my time at Tennessee, I have to thank him for not only giving this small town kid a chance at a childhood dream, but for also pushing me to be a great player and an even better person in life. He is a true legend of the game.”
Carol Bruggeman with the NFCA.
Carol Bruggeman – NFCA Executive Director
“Ralph Weekly retires as one of the most successful and decorated coaches in our profession. One of his many accolades includes the highest achievement bestowed upon a coach; a coveted spot in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame. Throughout his career, not only has he led teams to many championships, he has mentored young women into confident, successful contributors to society. Coach Weekly was a fierce competitor on the field and a friendly comrade off the field. Thank you for all you have done for the game. Congratulations!”
Ron Radigonda – ASA and USA Softball Executive Director (1998-2013)
“Ralph was a tremendous asset to USA Softball and was the architect of our High-Performance Plan that led to gold medals in the Olympics in 2000 and 2004. He was instrumental in recruiting some of the top NCAA coaches into our coaching pool. The combined support of USA Softball, the United States Olympic Committee, outstanding coaches and the unbelievable talent of our athletes led to phenomenal success on the diamond. I certainly wish Ralph the best in his retirement and thank him for his contributions to the sport of softball.”
Michele Smith – ESPN Softball Analyst & Two-Time Olympic Gold Medal Winner with Team USA
“I was lucky enough to be a part of the career of Coach Ralph Weekly on many levels. As an Olympic athlete at two Olympic Games and with ESPN as an analyst. Ralph was always thoughtful of his players and strategic about the game. It was an honor to play for him and work with him to further the great game of softball. I congratulate him on an incredible career!”
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Inside Pitch: A Changing of the Guard in the Collegiate Coaching World
Originally published June 24, 2021, on Extra Inning Softball
Three legends of college softball (l-r)–Mike Candrea, Lu Harris-Champer and Ralph Weekly–have recently announced they are stepping down as head coaches.
It’s been an interesting year in the college softball world: a time for saying “hello,” as the Women’s College World Series returned to record-setting TV numbers on ESPN after the 2020 hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, and a time for saying “goodbye” as some of the longest tenured and most successful DI coaching legends have stepped down.
Extra Inning Softball contributor Justin McLeod of Justin’s World of Softball shares his thoughts on the retirements of some of the greats in the game—key “Program Architects” as Justin calls them— in our latest edition of his weekly “Inside Pitch” column…
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Tennessee co-head coach Ralph Weekly’s retirement was announced on Wednesday afternoon, marking an end to a stellar coaching career that included two Olympic gold medals and seven trips to the Women’s College World Series.
Weekly’s legacy as a coach is already being celebrated, and he follows a trend that has become more and more prevalent over the last few years: this summer alone, Weekly is the fourth coach from an exclusive group to announce his retirement.
Margo Jonker
Earlier in June, Arizona’s Mike Candrea; Georgia’s Lu Harris-Champer; and San Diego State’s Kathy Van Wyk each announced their respective retirements.
I refer to that exclusive group as “Program Architects;” coaches whose names are immediately recognizable with the programs that they led for so long. Coaches who built their programs from nothing, or from very little, and built a legacy for themselves in the process.
Consider Margo Jonker at Central Michigan, who retired in 2019.
Jonker spent four decades leading the Chippewas, to oft-forgotten tremendous success in the late 20th century and left such a legacy behind upon her retirement that CMU’s softball stadium bears her name.
Or take Sandy Montgomery at SIU-Edwardsville.
Montgomery led SIUE to a Division II national championship, and then not only led the team through the transition to Division I but had the Cougars as one of the “First Four Out” of the NCAA tournament just a few years later.
Sandy Pearsall
The list is long and includes:
Sandy Pearsall at Louisville
Connie Clark at Texas
Maria Dibernardi at Villanova
Veronica Wiggins at Florida A&M
These are just a few of those architects who have stepped away from the collegiate coaching world in recent years. All spent decades coaching softball but also worked especially hard behind the scenes to build their programs from the ground up.
Even as they enjoy their own retirements, the impacts that so many of these coaches left behind are innumerable:
Softball fans and Tennessee alumni alike will not soon forget Ralph Weekly’s directness and “grandfather figure” personality.
Lu Harris-Champer had unending dedication for her team, but even moreso for the young women who were part of it.
For so many coaches, Mike Candrea modeled what a coach is “supposed” to look like.
While we see this changing of the guard slowly take place across Division I softball, the legacies these legends leave behind will continue to play a considerable role in shaping the game for the next generation of coaches and leaders.
— Justin McLeod, Extra Inning Softball Correspondent
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