La Crosse, WI - Viterbo University softball coach, Ryan DeLong, has announced that he has stepped down as V-Hawk softball coach. DeLong will stay on as V-Hawk volleyball coach as he prepares for his fourth season.

"I want to thank the university for the opportunity to coach the softball team," commented Coach DeLong. "It was just a difficult task heading up two programs with my expectations for both programs and the resources we have at Viterbo."

DeLong took over the V-Hawk softball program in the summer of 2006 after his first season as the volleyball coach. During his time, he has compiled a 20-66 record which includes an 11-41 record. He has also coached three Midwest Collegiate all-conference performers and three MCC all-academic athletes. Although the record made not show it, the V-Hawks had some big time wins in DeLong's two seasons. The V-Hawks handed William Penn University one of just three MCC losses during WPU's conference championship and national tournament season. They also defeated UW-La Crosse in this year's Wells Fargo Diamond Cup 6-2.

"I want to thank Ryan for his time and hard work that he put into our softball program," commented Viterbo Athletics Director Barry Fried. "It is a daunting task to run two very successful college programs and Ryan did a tremendous job trying. I am very excited that he has chosen to stay with volleyball and look forward to seeing the success they will have."

This season, the V-Hawks finished 10-34 overall and 6-22 in MCC action. The V-Hawks suffered two heart breaking 1-0 losses in the MCC tournament to #2 William Penn University and #6 Mount Mercy College. Offensively, the V-Hawks were led by freshman Betsy Ward (River Falls, WI) (.403), Sara Davis (Sr.-Sparta, WI) (.340), and Jen Pintz (Sr.-Seneca, WI) (.320). Ward finished the season second on the single season doubles (14) and home runs (6) list. Marissa Rathbun (So.-Rochester, MN) was the top pitcher for the V-Hawks as she finished with team high 72 strikeouts and 155 innings.

"I will miss coaching softball - the practices and games- but not all of the other stuff that goes with it," stated Coach DeLong. "I look forward to continuing to build the V-Hawk Volleyball program as well as focusing on other endeavors."

A search for Coach DeLong's successor will start immediately.

Editors note: Coach DeLong can be reached for more comments at 608-796-3823 while Athletics Director Barry Fried can be reached at (608) 796-3812.

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