June 24, 2008

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball coaching staff drew rave reviews from its peers this week, garnering Mideast Region Coaching Staff of the Year accolades from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. With the honor, a program first, the Boilermaker leaders are now eligible for Division I Coaching Staff of the Year accolades, which will be awarded to one of the nine regional honorees later this month.

Head coach Kim Maher and her staff, Linda Garza and Boo Gillette, led their charges to a 35-23 season and to the program's first ever NCAA Tournament berth. The Boilermakers posted their first NCAA Tournament win with a 4-2 victory over Cal State Fullerton in their second game of the Los Angeles Regional. The team also made headlines when it took down then-No. 7 Baylor on Feb. 15.

"It's an honor to be acknowledged by your peers," the third-year head coach said. "I'm proud that the softball program and its coaching staff can bring this recognition to Purdue University and its athletic department."

Purdue, which finished fifth in the Big Ten with a 9-9 mark, played 18 games against other NCAA Tournament teams, including 11 games against Top 25 opponents. In addition to the win over Baylor, the Boilermakers faced off with then-No. 4 Alabama, No. 10 Stanford, No. 10 LSU, No. 6 Michigan, No. 13 Northwestern and No. 25 Iowa during the season.

Four Boilermaker players were named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region teams, while three garnered All-Big Ten acclaim.

The NFCA recognizes regional and national coaching excellence in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Cal JC, NWAACC, High School and Travel Ball. All NFCA-member coaches are eligible each season.

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