RENSSELAER, Ind. – Saint Joseph's College Director of Athletics Bill Massoels has announced the hiring of Diane Stephenson on Friday afternoon. Stephenson a veteran of Big Team softball will serve as the programs' sixth head coach since the inception of the program in 1986.
"We are proud to have Diane serve as our softball coach," said Athletic Director Massoels. "Her credentials are impeccable; she has been around softball for over 30 years as a player and coach. SJC received 29 applicants and could not be happier with the outcome of the search. Like the rest of the Puma Nation, I am excited to see where Diane can lead this program."
Stephenson comes to SJC after three seasons as an assistant coach at Purdue University. The Boilermakers posted a mark of 84-72-2 in that span including two 30 win seasons.
"I would like to thank President F. Dennis Riegelnegg, Ed.D., Director of Athletics Bill Massoels, and the search committee for the opportunity to coach at Saint Joseph's College," said Diane Stephenson. "I am excited to become a part of the community and atmosphere in Rensselaer."
From 2008-2010 Stephenson worked for Gayle Blevins and Iowa University as the team's hitting coach and instructed the Hawkeye catchers. In her first season with the team, the Hawkeyes posted a 42-16 overall mark and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. In year two Iowa managed a 25-23 mark.
"Newness can be refreshing," said Coach Stephenson. "Change can be a scary at times until we can grasp the whole picture. Everyone here from the President to the coaches and the staff of the athletic department have the same vision which makes this an exciting time. I am excited for the opportunity to lead the Puma Softball program to their next venture.
In 1983, Stephenson started her coaching career as assistant for Blevins and Indiana University. As a member of Blevin's Hoosier staff, Stephenson helped Indiana to two Big Ten Championships (1983 and 1986), two NCAA Midwest Regional championships (1983 and 1986) and three NCAA Women's College World Series berths (1980, 1983 and 1986).
Stephenson was picked to replace Blevins as the Hoosiers' head coach in 1987 and held the position until 2002. She was named both the Big Ten and Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 1996 after leading Indiana to the Big Ten title. She led Indiana to two of its five NCAA Tournament appearances (1994 and 1996), while coaching five All-Americans and 18 first team All-Big Ten selections. Stephenson holds a career record of 402-402-4 as the head coach of Indiana.
A five-sport athlete at Concord High School in Elkhart, Ind., Stephenson was the school's athlete of the year in 1977. She was inducted into the Concord High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994 and into the Elkhart Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. She went on to become the first female student-athlete to receive a full athletic scholarship at Indiana in 1977 and the school's first softball All-American in 1981. Stephenson helped the Hoosiers to a Big Ten title in 1978 and led the team to back-to-back appearances in the AIAW College World Series in 1979 and 1980, as the team finished fifth and as the national runner-up.
The Elkhart, Ind., native earned her bachelor's degree in physical education from Indiana in 1982 and her master's degree in athletic administration in 1989.