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June 9, 2005

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Athletics Director Morgan Burke announced the end of an era in Purdue softball today as Carol Bruggeman, the founding head coach in 1994, is leaving her post to become associate head coach at Louisville.

"From the beginning, Carol earned a reputation as a fierce competitor who cared about her players as students as well as athletes," Burke said. "She built a solid foundation on the field and in the classroom.

"We wish her great success in Louisville, and we know she will always be a Boilermaker at heart."

Bruggeman built the Purdue program from the ground up after being hired in June 1993. The inaugural squad posted a 21-17-1 record in 1994, tallying the most wins by a first-year team in Big Ten history.

"Starting a program from scratch was a wonderful opportunity, and it was the players, assistant coaches, support staff and friends I met along the way who kept me in West Lafayette for the past 12 years," said Bruggeman, who starts work at Louisville on June 20. "I feel honored to have shared in their lives."

The Boilermakers tallied their first 30-win season in 1996, posting a 36-21 mark, and notched their first Big Ten Tournament berth in 1997, after compiling a 41-25 record. In 2005, the team fought its way back into the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since the 2000 season after posting a 10-10 record, the best conference mark for Purdue since the 1997 campaign. The Boilermakers, who finished the year 34-24-1, toppled a Top 25 team for the first time since the 2001 season with a 2-1 win over then-No. 24 Iowa on April 9.

All told, Bruggeman's squads posted a 380-304-3 record in her 12 years with the Boilermakers, tallying at least 30 wins in nine of those seasons, including the last seven straight. The Charter Oak, Iowa, native guided her team to three Big Ten Tournament berths, including this past spring. In her tenure, the Iowa alumna coached 15 different players to 24 All-Mideast Region honors and 23 All-Big Ten honors. A high point of her Purdue tenure came in 2003 as second baseman Andrea Hillsey was presented with first team All-America honors, recognizing her as the top player in the nation at her position that season.

In addition to their success on the field, the Boilermakers have excelled in the classroom, garnering 71 Academic All-Big Ten selections, as well as four CoSIDA Academic All-America accolades. Bruggeman's squads have compiled a team grade-point average above 3.0 for the past eight years, while all four-year players have earned their degrees.

"The program is in great shape, both academically and athletically," Bruggeman said. "I fully expect this team to contend for a Big Ten championship next year."

The former Iowa softball player began her coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Hawkeyes. She then joined the Michigan staff as an assistant for five years before taking on the task of starting the Purdue program.

Bruggeman said she leaves with mixed emotions: "I love Purdue University and the Purdue softball program, and I'd like to thank all the current and former student-athletes, coaches, parents and support staff, and Morgan Burke and the other administrators for making a tremendous impact on my life and the program."

Assistant coach Leticia Pineda-Bouttè will assume the position of interim head coach as a national search for a successor continues. Assistant coach Brooke Monroe also will remain on staff until a new coach is appointed.