Softball | 12/19/2011 5:08:00 PM

June 6, 2011-Emporia State softball coach Kristi Bredbenner has accepted the head coaching position at NCAA Division I Wichita State and will step down as coach of the Hornets after six seasons.

“Emporia State will always be a special place for me,” said Bredbenner.  “The student-athletes that I have coached have not only been some of the most talented softball players but they have been great people and made my experiences unforgettable.”

Bredbenner leaves as the winningest coach in ESU softball history.  She compiled a record of 295-82 (.782) in her six seasons with the Hornets. She twice took ESU to the NCAA Division II National Championship game, falling to Lock Haven 3-0 in 2006 and to Humboldt State 1-0 in 2008. The Hornets made the NCAA Tournament every year she was at the helm. She led ESU to five MIAA regular season and conference tournament champions.

"Coach Bredbenner established herself as one of the best softball coaches in the country while here at Emporia State,” said ESU Director of Athletics Kent Weiser. “Throughout her six seasons, ESU has become one of the most successful and respected softball programs in the NCAA.”

Bredbenner took over at ESU following three seasons as an assistant at UC-Santa Barbara. She was the interim head coach at her alma mater, Truman State University, during the 2002 season. The Bulldogs went 31-19, won the MIAA Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament under her guidance.

“I want to thank Kent Weiser for giving me the opportunity to coach one of the best Division II softball programs in country for the past six years,” said Bredbenner. “His support and guidance during that time has helped me become a better coach.”

ESU has been ranked in the top five academic teams according to the NFCA in four of coach Bredbenner's first five years with the program. The Hornets were ranked third nationally in 2009-10 in the NFCA Girls Got Game Top Ten Academic Teams with a 3.537 combined GPA. This season’s rankings will be released in September.

"Emporia State Softball has consistently played for championships under Coach Bredbenner's leadership,” said Weiser. “She recruits quality student-athletes, who are not only great players, but great students as well.” 

A three-time MIAA Coach of the Year and twice named NFCA/Speedline Regional Coaching Staff of the Year, Bredbenner’s Hornets set 27 MIAA records during her tenure. ESU led the MIAA in team batting last season with a .314 average and stole a league high 126 bases.  The offensive prowess helped put fans in the Trusler Sports Complex as well.  ESU has ranked in the top seven in the nation in average attendance in each of her first five seasons and should be there again this season.

“I would also like to thank the Emporia community for supporting ESU softball,” said Bredbenner. “Being a part of ESU softball has meant the world to me.  I wish the softball program and the athletic department the best of luck in the future.  I will always be watching and cheering on the Hornets.”

She takes over a Shocker team that finished seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference standings the past two seasons, with a combined record of 44-68, including a 20-37 record, 12-15 in the Valley last season.  They last made the NCAA Tournament in 2005.

"As sad and difficult as it is to see Coach Bredbenner leave Emporia State, we are excited for her with this new opportunity at WSU,” said Weiser. “Her teams have been great representatives of Hornet Athletics, and I'm grateful to have had the chance to work with her for the past six years."

The search for the new head coach will begin immediately.