7.18.2012

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University softball head coach Kathy Riley announced the addition of Jennifer Steele as a new assistant coach. Steele, a Longwood alumna, returns to the Lancers following two years as an assistant coach at George Mason University.

“Jen offers the Longwood softball program expertise in pitching, hitting and defense,” said Riley. “She is well-rounded primarily due to her collegiate experience as a very successful student-athlete. I have every confidence in Jen's ability to help us elevate our program as we compete for our first Big South Championship in 2013.”

In charge of overseeing the team's pitchers and catchers at George Mason, Steele coached two freshmen to the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) All-Rookie Team.
She was also responsible for designing the team's daily practice format and for coaching the team on game days. In addition, she acted as the lead recruiting and camp/clinic coordinator, and handled the team's travel arrangements, while also assisting with budgeting and scheduling.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a Lancer again,” said Steele. “I loved being a student-athlete at Longwood and am excited to help the softball program continue to make strides toward conference, regional and national success. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside Coach Riley and be able to represent the school and program I love.”

Prior to joining the staff at George Mason, Steele was the head coach at Randolph College from 2007-10. In 2009, she was named Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Coach of the Year after leading the team to its first-ever winning season and its first trip to the conference tournament. Steele began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Smith College, where she was responsible for the pitching staff.

Steele had a successful career on the diamond for the Lancers, starting 185 out of 189 games and helping to lead the squad to a 143-53 record during her four-year tenure. Her accolades include being named the 2002 Carolinas-Virginia Conference (CVAC) Freshman of the Year and the 2005 Division I All-Independent Pitcher of the Year. In the circle, the two-time All-CVAC selection totaled 73 wins, 625.2 innings pitched, 409 strikeouts and a 1.75 ERA. To this day, she holds the program record for fewest walks per game (1.29). Also a threat at the plate, Steele finished her career with a .324 batting average, 129 RBIs and 112 runs scored.

Steele, a native of Manassas Park, Virginia, received a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from Longwood University in 2005 before earning a Masters of Science in exercise and sport studies from Smith College in 2007.