• Michigan Women: The Deep Legacy of Carol Hutchins
Ann Arbor, Michigan — carol hutchinsHe is a legendary softball head coach at the University of Michigan.
Hutchins, who recently completed his 39th overall season as a head coach, is the most winning coach in NCAA softball history with 1,707 wins and a .755 career winning percentage (1,707-555-5).
“Words cannot adequately describe my gratitude for all of this. carol Hutchins has dedicated herself to the sport of softball, the University of Michigan, and the impact she has had on the lives of countless young people,” said director of athletics Donald R. Shepard. Walde Manuel“Also, while I am very happy that Hatch is able to enjoy a life outside of the game, I cannot briefly express my personal grief over her decision to retire from coaching. She is an American cancer survivor.” A tireless fundraiser for social causes, including associations, I know she will continue to make an impact on people’s lives beyond the game of softball. carol Hutchins is a legend. “
“Today is filled with pride, love, humility and gratitude,” Hutchins said. “I have been the head coach of Michigan Softball for 38 years. I am forever bleeding.
“There are countless people to thank. I want to start with Bob Decaloris for bringing me to Ann Arbor 40 years ago and giving me this incredible opportunity. As a director, I would like to especially thank them for their continued commitment to the growth of women’s track and field and softball here in Michigan. Warde Manuel and Lisa Savory Thank you personally and for your tremendous support of our program.
“I am truly grateful for the relationship this sport has given me. Respect and admiration to all of my coaching colleagues and rivals as this competition has made softball one of the premier sports in collegiate athletics.” I would like to express my gratitude to everyone from athletic trainers and strength coaches to academic counselors, equipment managers and field crews who have played a supporting role in softball in Michigan. and their commitment is greatly appreciated..I would like to especially thank the staff who have worked with me over the years in Michigan, especially my longtime assistant coach. Jennifer Brundage When Bonnie Thor, whose loyalty and commitment are unmatched. I will forever be indebted to them and share all my successes with them.
“To all the Alumni Field fans, you are the best. I will love you all forever. Thank you for creating one of the best environments in college softball. To the alumni who have built this program since 1978. I was so honored to be a part of your life and journey in 1978. Instead of going to Michigan for four years, go to Michigan for life.As a coach. My greatest joy and ultimate reward is immeasurable in victories and championships. Success is measured by the many people you meet in your life.
“Goodbye today. Good luck tomorrow. And forever, Go Blue!”
Hutchins led Michigan to the 2005 NCAA Championship, becoming the first program east of the Mississippi to win a national title, 22 Big Ten Conference Championships, 10 Big Ten Tournament winners, 29 NCAA Tournament appearances, Women’s College Highlighted career including 12 times. Entering the World Series.
She was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006.
Hutchins regained the lead as the all-time softball coach in NCAA history on February 25, 2022, in a 3–0 win over Northern Kentucky, surpassing Arizona’s Mike Candrea’s record of 1,674 wins. She surpassed former Fresno State coach Margie Wright’s long-running record of 1,457 wins in 2016, holding the top spot for more than two years. He is also the coach with the most wins by a woman.
“Hatch” has been in Michigan’s softball program since 1983 when he joined the staff as an assistant coach under Bob Decaloris after serving as head coach at Ferris State University for a year. He became head coach in 1985.
Hutchins never lost a season and led the Wolverines to numerous records. Among them were his 65-7 campaign in the NCAA Championship in 2005, and in Game 3 of the WCWS Championship Series, where he overtook UCLA in a dramatic 10-inning win. I got
Michigan returned to the WCWS Championship Series in 2015, eventually settling for the NCAA runners-up after losing to Florida in the rubber game. The 2015 Wolverines boasted his 60-8 record, led the nation with 118 home runs, set program records in runs scored (540) and RBIs (504), and were among the program’s best five in his NFCA career. Proud to be All-American.
Hutchins’ team won 22 Big Ten regular season titles from 1995 to 2021. This included nine consecutive titles from 2008 to 2016, ten Big Ten Tournament crowns, and seven conference championship wins (1995, ’96, ’98, 2002). years, ’05, ’15, ’19). Michigan has appeared in 29 NCAA tournaments, including the last 27 years, and has won the NCAA Women’s College World Series (1995-98, 2001-02, ’04-’05, ’09, ’13). , ’15-’16) – Sixth WCWS appearance, the most in NCAA history.
She has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year 18 times and has won eight NFCA Regional Coaches of the Year and two NFCA National Coaches of the Year (1995, 2005). The Michigan coaching staff, led by Hutchins, was named Speedline/NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year in 2005 and won 15 of her NFCA Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year awards. In 2016, Hutchins was named the inaugural recipient of espnW’s Pat Summit Coaching Award, which she presented to the coach who “embodies character and courage” of the legendary basketball coach who led the Tennessee Lady Vols. .
The Wolverines received a total of 69 All-America citations, including 23 first-team nods, and 14 academic All-America accolades under Hutchins. The Michigan player has also won 20 Big Ten Player of the Year, 14 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, and 13 Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors with 212 All-Big Tens and 202 Academic All-Big Tens.
Before becoming Michigan’s third softball coach, Hutchins spent one year as head coach at Ferris State University (1982). While at Ferris, she led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Division II National Tournament and was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
A graduate of Michigan State University, Hutchins won both basketball and softball (1976-79) and led the Spartans to the 1976 AIAW National Softball Championship. In 2003, she was named the winner of the Nell She Jackson Award. The award is considered the highest honor the Varsity “S” Club of Michigan can give to a female graduate for her professional achievements and community service, and has been inducted into the Michigan State Track and Field Hall of Fame. She is also an inductee of the Greater Lansing Her Athletic Hall of Fame (2000) and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (2011).
Hutchins established the Michigan Softball Academy in 2010 in conjunction with the program’s annual “Pink Game.” Wolverines has earned $1.5 million since participating in the program’s first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in 2007 at his one-night on-field clinic for adults raising funds for the American Cancer Society. Collected more.
#go blue
