July 19, 2007

Angela Froboese was named the first head softball coach in Southwestern University history on Thursday (Jul. 19) and will begin her duties as Head Softball Coach/Coordinator of Robertson Center Student-Workers on August 1.

The softball program will begin play as a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference during the 2008-2009 school year. Froboese will use her first year to recruit, update facilities and begin preparing a schedule for the inaugural season in the spring of 2009.

"We are just delighted to have someone with Angela's expertise, not only coaching but as a player, starting a softball program here at Southwestern. We think she is a talented recruiter and is a great fit for SU and our athletic department," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Glada Munt.

Froboese said, "I am really excited to be joining the great athletic department staff at Southwestern. This is a great opportunity for me to be able to build a new program. It's an opportunity to bring in quality student-athletes to a program that I believe can become a national contender."

Froboese comes to Southwestern after spending four years at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX. During her tenure at Howard Payne, she posted an overall record of 85-65, 67-37 in conference play. Froboese led the team to a 21-13 overall record in her first season at the helm and built the program up to a 28-win season in 2007, the most wins in program history.

In 2004, the Lady Jackets led all of NCAA Division III in doubles 69. In four years, Froboese produced three West All-Region players, 27 All-Conference selections and nine National Fastpitch Coaches Association Academic All-Americans. Also, during her tenure her players had a graduation rate of 100 percent.

Prior to her time at Howard Payne, Froboese spent one year as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Stephen F. Austin State University. A 2001 graduate of SFA, she finished her career in possession of four batting records. Froboese struck out just 10 times in 601 collegiate at-bats. During the 2001 season, she set a single-season hit record with 67 base hits. She also set career marks with 98 runs batted in, 36 doubles and 123 runs scored. In 2001, she was named the Southland Conference Utility Player of the Year.

The newly appointed head coach earned bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a minor in communications and holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership.

SU Sports Information