LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ten NCAA Division III programs were selected by their peers as the 2025 ATEC/NFCA Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the Association announced on Wednesday.
Representing each of the NFCA’s 10 Division III regions, these respective coaching staffs – Wesleyan University (Conn.) (Region I), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Region II), Ithaca College (Region III), Rowan University (Region IV), Gettysburg College (Region V), Virginia Wesleyan University (Region VI), Trine University (Region VII), Illinois Wesleyan University (Region VIII), Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (Region IX) and East Texas Baptist University (Region X) – are now eligible for the ATEC/NFCA Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 11.
Four of this year’s regional recipients — Rowan, Virginia Wesleyan, Trine and Saint Mary’s — advanced to the eight-team NCAA Division III World Series at Inspiration Field (Carol Willis Park) on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University. Two of those — Trine and Virginia Wesleyan — are playing in the best-of-three Division III championship series. Trine was the 2023 national champion after finishing runner-up in 2022, while Virginia Wesleyan has won three titles in program history (2017, 2018 and 2021).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rowan and Trine have captured their respective region’s honors the past three seasons. Virginia Wesleyan has been recognized three times in the last five years.
Regional (respective region only) and National Coaching Staffs of the Year are voted on by member head coaches.
Region I – Wesleyan University (Conn.)
Head Coach: Jen Lane
Assistant Coach: Jill Karwoski
Went 29-12 … Most wins in program history … Best single-season win percentage (.707) … Best start to season in school history (10-0) … Win streaks of 10 and seven games … Lost to Tufts in NESCAC title game … Led all NESCAC teams with six NFCA All-Region selections (fourth among all Division III schools nationally) … Pitcher Jacelyn Lees was one of 10 regional finalists for NFCA Freshman of the Year.
Region II – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Head Coach: Madison Trotman
Assistant Coaches: Emily Kraytenberg, Amanda Genovese, Courtney Zambello and Michaela Russell
Went 29-12 … Won NEWMAC championship … Played in NCAA Regionals … Won 11 of last 14 games … Placed seven players on NFCA All-Region squad … Outfielder Delaney Benevides was one of 10 regional finalists for NFCA Freshman of the Year.
Region III – Ithaca College
Head Coach: Kelly Robichaud
Assistant Coaches: Payton Cutting and Dan Raymond
Volunteer Assistant Coach: Kaitlyn Judd
Student Managers: Kahlen Cornell and Elias Wood
Went 30-8 … Won Liberty League … Hosted NCAA Regional … Lost to Texas Lutheran in NCAA Regional final … Highest win total since 2018 … Went 9-1 on season-opening Florida trip … Won eight of nine to close regular season and nine of final 11 contests in 2025 … Had two NFCA All-Region players and one NFCA All-American (pitcher Anna Cornell).
Region IV – Rowan University
Head Coach: Kim Wilson
Assistant Coaches: Mary Murray, Ann Dailey, Megan Murzello, Alexa Massa and Tim Homan
Student Manager: Paige Wilson
Went 49-4 … Most wins in program history … Best win percentage in school history (.924) … Longest win streak in program history, which was also longest in all NCAA divisions in 2025, to open season (31) … Won NCAA Regional and Super Regional titles … Advanced to NCAA World Series for third consecutive season … Head coach Kim Wilson became first woman in Division III history to reach 1,000 career victories … Had maximum eight players earn NFCA All-Region honors … Four NFCA All-Americans.
Region V – Gettysburg College
Head Coach: Brooke Kalman
Assistant Coaches: Tim Kelly, Maddie Murphy and Madelyn Yannetti
Went 41-8 … Program record for wins … Won NCAA Regional to reach first-ever Super Regional … Lost in Super Regional final to national finalist Virginia Wesleyan … Placed three players on NFCA All-Region squad … Had first two NFCA All-Americans in school history.
Region VI – Virginia Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Brandon Elliott
Assistant Coaches: Brianna Cooper, Jim Quinn, Chris Smith and Jenna Wilson
Compiled 49-5-1 record so far this season … Won ODAC title for 16th time (and second straight) … Won NCAA Regional and Super Regional titles … Playing Trine in NCAA Division III championship series … First baseman Morgan Tucker was one of 10 regional finalists for NFCA Freshman of the Year … Placed five players on NFCA All-Region squad … Had two NFCA All-Americans.
Region VII – Trine University
Head Coach: Donnie Danklefsen
Assistant Coaches: Dennis Smith and Zech Hutson
Compiled 45-5 record so far this season … Won fourth straight MIAA championship … Won NCAA Regional and Super Regional titles … Made third trip to NCAA World Series in past four seasons … Playing Virginia Wesleyan in NCAA Division III championship series … Second baseman Whitney Duell was one of 10 regional finalists for NFCA Freshman of the Year … Placed seven players on NFCA All-Region squad … Had two NFCA All-Americans.
Region VIII – Illinois Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Tiffany Prager
Assistant Coaches: Nikki Miller, Kimmy Hassel and Bob Grimes
Went 37-9 … Captured CCIW championship for second consecutive year and sixth time in last eight tournaments … Won school-record 25 straight games leading to first NCAA Super Regional since 2019 … Won NCAA Regional for sixth time in last eight tournaments … Placed three players on NFCA All-Region squad … Shortstop Jen Kuhn earned both NFCA All-America and NFCA/Rawlings Gold Glove honors.
Region IX – Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Head Coach: John Tschida
Assistant Coaches: Erica Wilson, Mitchell Grossell and Bob Loshek
Went 44-7 … Program record for victories … Undefeated 22-0 in MIAC regular season (24-0 against MIAC teams when including conference tournament) … Won MIAC, NCAA Regional and NCAA Super Regional titles … Placed four players on NFCA All-Region squad … Utility/Pitcher Makayla Steffes named an NFCA All-American for second consecutive season.
Region X – East Texas Baptist University
Head Coach: Janae Shirley
Associate Head Coach: Bill Galloway
Assistant Coaches: Maranda Westbrook and Guy Shirley
Graduate Assistant Coach: Courtney White
Went 43-5 … Won ASC title for third straight season and fifth in last six tournaments … No. 1-ranked team in NFCA/GoRout Division III Coaches Poll for entirety of season to date … Won NCAA Regional … Lost to Texas Lutheran in NCAA Super Regional … Won nine straight games and 16 of first 17 to open season … Placed five players on NFCA All-Region squad … Had two NFCA All-Americans, including four-time honoree shortstop Tristen Maddox.
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