September
24, 2007
(release courtesy of Steven Phelps, Buena Vista sports information
director)
STORM
LAKE, IOWA . . . After nearly three decades of leading
the Buena Vista University softball team, BVU head softball
coach Marge Willadsen has announced that she
will retire at season's end, but will continue on as an administrator
within the athletic department.
"Coaching
has been my life," said Willadsen. "Deciding whether
I could give up such a big part of my life was very difficult.
I have always loved coaching and working with the student-athletes.
To think that there would never be another spring trip or competition
against the Iowa Conference schools and my fellow peers made
it difficult as well."
Willadsen
arrived on campus in 1979 and has given the university much
to cheer and be proud about over her 27-plus seasons as head
coach. She will enter this season ranked seventh among active
Division III coaches in victories, and holds a career mark of
561-421-2. Her 1984 National Championship team is the university's
only championship to this day. In addition, she has tallied
a pair of national runner-up finishes (1983 and 1992), six Iowa
Conference Championships - including three straight from 1994-1996
- and five Regional Championships (1983, 1984, 1989, 1992, 1994).
"Coach
Willadsen has led BVU's softball program with commitment, credibility
and integrity," said Director of Athletics Jan
Travis. "She has been an excellent role model
for the young women over the years. Marge is a great colleague
and team player. I look forward to working with her in an administrative
role."
The
four-time Iowa Conference Coach of the Year, and two-time National
Coach of the Year, has coached 90 all-conference performers,
including six IIAC MVP's, and has seen 22 of her players earn
All-American honors. Fourteen of her former athletes are now
members of the BVU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Asked
what she'll miss most about the profession, she said, "Working
with the student-athletes, my assistant coaches, and my peers
in the profession."
"It
is impossible to ever state Coach Willadsen's positive impact
on the university over her storied coaching career," said
BVU President Fred Moore. "As the holder
of our sole team National Championship, her place is secure
among all of BVU's greats. We are pleased that she will continue
in her administrative post. I know all of our student-athletes
who have had the privilege of playing for Marge join me in saluting
her for all she has done."
A
national search will begin soon and will remain open until the
position has been filled.
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