Rounding Third Softball

A lawsuit brought forth against the University of Louisiana by former Ragin’ Cajun Coach Mike Lotief and student-athletes has been settled and dismissed by a Federal Court Judge. Lotief was fired in November 2017 alleging complaints from students and staff about “violent, vulgar language and verbal and physical assault, creating a hostile learning and working environment.” Lotief’s lawsuit claimed Title IX retaliation, defamation, and discrimination because of Lotief’s health disabilities. On September 2018, several former UL Lafayette softball players filed a federal civil-rights complaint that alleged gender discrimination and Title IX violations. Lotief claimed he was fired for voicing concerns about gender discrimination in the ULL Athletic Department.

NCAA has extended the quiet period for Division II to July 31 following suit with Division I’s extension of their dead period. The move will keep the restriction of no off-campus recruiting for DII members, but allow them to continue to host prospects on-campus and work camps.

Salisbury has named program alum Lacey Lister Lord their new head coach. Lord spent the last 12 seasons at Washington College where she was a three-time Centennial Conference Coach of the Year. She replaces Hall of Fame Coach Margie Knight who retired after the 2020 season.

RTS is saddened to report that former Humboldt State Coach Frank Cheek passed away Saturday at the age of 82. Cheek, an NFCA and CCAA Hall of Fame inductee, coached the Lumberjacks for 25 years. HSU won DII National Championships in 1999 and 2008.

‪Belmont seems to be in the market for a third coach within the last year. Head Coach Megan Rhodes Smith has departed the program to join the staff at Tennessee. The Lady Vol Alum departs for Knoxville after one pandemic abbreviated season with the Bruins going 5-14.

‪Don Porter, one of the most recognizable names in softball, has passed away at the age of 90. Porter, the former Executive Director of USA Softball and leaders in the establishment of the WBSC, was one of the driving forces in adding the Sport of Softball to the 1996 Olympic Program in Atlanta. Porter also steered the International Softball Federation before it was folded into the WBSC.

Glenville State Head Coach Kristen Tunno has stepped down from her position. Tunno, who is second all-time in Pioneer Softball history in wins with 84, took over the program in 2015. She has taken a teaching position on the faculty at Glenville.

Florida A&M looks to be on the move after next season. Today the FAMU Board of Trustees voted to move conferences leaving the MEAC for the SWAC at the conclusion of the 2020-21 athletics year. Rattler Softball is already in transition this coming year after the retirement of longtime coach Veronica Wiggins.

‪Wright State has seemingly become the first Division I causality of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Officials announced the discontinuation of the program today citing budget restructuring to reduce expenditures. It’s also being reported that in dropping the Wright State Softball program, school administrators have not as of yet sought NCAA approval for the waiver to drop from the 14 required sports that is required of Division I classification to 11 (men’s and women’s tennis was also dropped). The move itself is pretty bold and could be of concern in how easy institutes might believe it would be just to drop programs below required numbers and the NCAA’s willingness to allow it.

Siena didn’t wait long to fill their open head coaching position. The Saints have found their next head coach from within promoting assistant coach Casey Bump. Bump has spent the last seven seasons on the staff as pitching coach. She replaces Bill Lajeunesse which recently retired.