May 15, 2007

The University of Dayton has announced that Jodi Eickemeyer will not return as the Flyers' softball coach in 2007-08, resigning effective immediately.

Eickemeyer's 12-year record was 231-323-5 (.418), including an 11-30 mark this season. The 11 wins were a career-low for Eickemeyer, as was this year's 3-14 mark in the Atlantic 10.

Far and away the Dayton softball career leader in years coached and wins, Eickemeyer took over a program that had single-digit wins in four of the five years before she got there, and had only seen 20 wins once in the history of the program. Eickemeyer guided the Flyers to five 20-win seasons in her 12 years as head coach.

"I'm proud of the fact that the softball program at UD is on better footing than when I took over," Eickemeyer said, "and proud of all the student-athletes who played for me over the years. I'm sorry I will not be the person who will take it to the next level, but our program has turned out some outstanding young women, and it is time for me to move on to new things."

UD placed third in the A-10 twice (1998 and 2000). In the 2000 season, Dayton won a school record 35 games, finishing 35-23-1 overall and 10-4 in the conference.

A two-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, Eickemeyer was a four-year letterwinner and two-time MVP as a UD softball pitcher from 1988 to 1991.

"We appreciate Jodi's dedication to the University as our softball coach the last dozen years, and more recently as the coordinator of our Life Skills program," UD Vice-President and Director of Athletics Ted Kissell said. "She has not only touched the lives of her players, but every student-athlete who has become a Flyer over the last five years. On behalf of the entire Athletics Division, we wish her the best of luck."

Eickemeyer will remain in the area and continue to give private pitching and hitting lessons at "Let's Play Ball" in West Carrollton.

A search for a new UD softball coach will begin immediately.