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Posted by
Ryan Bradley
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Fri, May 30, 2008
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Softball
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Dawn Reed-Schultz leaves RSU with more victories than any other coach in the athletic program's brief history.
Rogers State Softball Coach Dawn Reed-Schultz has announced her resignation from the university's most successful athletic program.
Reed-Schultz leaves RSU with more victories (102) than any other coach in the brief history of the athletic program. Her Hillcats were the first to reach postseason play in 2007 and the first to achieve a national ranking, peaking at No. 5 this spring.
"This was a very difficult decision to make," Reed-Schultz said. "I have truly enjoyed my three years at Rogers State. However, at this time I need to do what's best for my family and my personal life. This is a great institution and I'm proud of what we accomplished here."
Reed-Schultz will be moving to Kansas in order to be closer to her husband. She married Luke Schultz of Emporia Kan., in June 2007.
As the first head softball coach and senior women's administrator, Reed-Schultz helped pave the way for the implementation of athletics on "College Hill." She produced a winning record in each of her three years at RSU, including an impressive 42-17 mark in 2008. In 2007 the softball Cats put RSU on the map by breaking into the NAIA national rankings and reaching the semifinals of the Region VI tournament.
Reed-Schultz's club reached new heights this spring. The Hillcats defeated Lubbock Christian, the No. 1 ranked team and eventual national champion, and tallied three tournament championships during the regular season. RSU was ranked in the Top 25 throughout the regular season and set a new program benchmark with 42 victories.
"We're very grateful to Coach Reed-Schultz for her outstanding contributions to RSU athletics," said Wren Baker, RSU athletic director. "Her passion and dedication to Hillcat athletics over the past three years has made a huge impact on our budding athletics program. Her record speaks for itself and we know that she will be very successful in whatever she chooses to do."
A Skiatook native and former University of Tulsa standout, Reed-Schultz played third base for the Golden Hurricane from 1996-2000. While at Tulsa she was named an All-American Scholar Athlete, a Western Athletic Conference All-Conference player and TU's Offensive Player of the Year. Reed-Schultz served a one-year stint as an assistant coach for the Golden Hurricane before being named the head coach at Bacone in 2001.
During Reed-Schultz's tenure at Bacone her team earned three Region VI Tournament bids and was ranked in the Top 15 for most of the 2004 and 2005 seasons. She solidified her reputation as a program builder by taking the reins of a first-year program at RSU and turning it into an instant winner. Reed-Schultz compiled a 102-49 record at RSU and boasts a 249-115 career coaching record.
Her 2008 squad set a number of offensive and pitching records despite having just one senior on the roster. She leaves the program she built from the ground up on the cusp of national prominence.
"I'm excited to see where this program can go from here," Reed-Schultz said. "There is a great group of young women coming back and I know they will achieve great things."
The search for Reed-Schultz's replacement will begin immediately under Baker's direction.
For more information on Hillcat softball visit www.rsuhillcats.com.