FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
For more information contact SID Eric Kunick @ 608-796-3820
DELONG NAMED VITERBO HEAD SOFTBALL COACH
La Crosse, WI - Viterbo University announced today that Ryan DeLong has been named the Head Softball Coach. DeLong becomes the tenth coach in Viterbo history and takes over for Jaimi Dutton who left to take a position as director of sales for the Kahler Grand Hotel in Rochester, MN.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to expand my role here at Viterbo University,” commented DeLong. “I have always enjoyed coaching softball and am excited to have the opportunity to coach it at the college level.”
Coach DeLong joined the V-Hawk Athletics Department last Spring as the Head Volleyball Coach. Coach DeLong will continue his role as Head Coach of the Volleyball team. This Spring, Coach DeLong joined the V-Hawk softball squad as an assistant coach under Dutton.
"Ryan is a great fit for our university and softball program,” commented athletics director Barry Fried. “He's already proven his ability as our head volleyball coach and now he will get the chance to lead our softball program.”
This will be coach DeLong’s first opportunity to coach softball at the collegiate level. DeLong’s softball resume includes stints at La Crosse Aquinas and La Crosse Central as assistant coaches. In 2000, DeLong helped lead the Blugolds of La Crosse Aquinas to the WISAA State Tournament. Then in 2001, DeLong was a part the Raiders squad that made their appearance at the WIAA State Tournament. DeLong also had some softball coaching experience as he co-started the Chippewa Flash 16 and 18 under teams.
“Coach Dutton did a very nice job with the V-Hawk program and I look forward to continued success on the field and in the classroom,” stated Coach DeLong. “We have a solid nucleus coming back next season and we hope with a few additions that we can take this program to the next level.”
This season, the V-Hawks finished 21-24 overall and 12-10 in MCC play. After winning the first game of the MCC tournament over Iowa Wesleyan College, the V-Hawks dropped the next two to Waldorf College and St. Ambrose University. Offensively, the V-Hawks were led by Jennifer Oberhart (Jr.-Waterford, WI) with a .342 batting average. Alicia Hynek (So.-Sparta, WI) was also an offensive spark for the V-Hawks by leading the team with six homeruns and was second in RBI’s with 25. Hynek was also the top pitcher for the V-Hawks by finishing 11-10 overall with a 3.40 ERA.
Coach DeLong can be reached for more comments in his office at (608) 796-3823. Athletics Director Barry Fried can also be reached for more information at (608) 796-3812.
