Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Photo by: MT
Middle Tennessee Hires TSU Softball Coach Cindy Connelley
9/16/2001 5:19:00 PM | Softball
Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee associate athletic director Diane Turnham announced the hiring of Cindy Connelley as head softball coach; making her the second head coach since the Lady Raider softball program was established in 1993.
"We are extremely pleased to welcome Cindy Connelley to our MT coaching staff," Turnham said. "She brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to thesoftball program and the athletic department as a whole."
Connelley comes to Murfreesboro after shaping the Tennessee State University softball program as head softball coach for three seasons. This past season, TSU had the most wins for any Lady Tiger team with an overall record of 13-26, and defeated everyone in the Ohio Valley Conference except SEMO who they lost to in 12 innings.
Connelley also helped lead the team to a fifth place finish in the OVC, as compared to last place just a year ago. For her accomplishments, she was named the OVC Coach of the Year in 2000-2001.
"She has been successful at every level of the game as a player and as a coach," Turnham said. "She is the individual that we feel can propel our women's softball program to the highest level of competition."
It wasn't until the middle of last week that Turnham and interim athletic director Boots Donnelly officially offered Connelley the head coaching position, so it has been a trying time for her. When word came she was being offered the position she had the overwhelming task of dealing with the tragedies that have gripped our country along with telling her team at Tennessee State that she was leaving.
"This has been an extremely horrifying week and you re-examine life and think about your family," Connelley said. "It has been an empty work week, so it is with mixed emotions that I change jobs, and accept the position at Middle Tennessee."
Connelley will inherit a Lady Raider squad that finished 41-21 overall and 11-9 in the Sun Belt Conference. The team placed second in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and the 41 wins set a school record for most wins in a season.
"There is a talented team in place and a strong administrative infrastructure, both with lofty goals," Connelley said. "It will be strong and successful partnership and I'm anxious to start."
Connelley replaces former head coach Karen Green who left in August to take a position at Siegel Middle School in Murfreesboro.
True Blue Testimonials - Senior Catcher Ansley Blevins
Tuesday, February 24
Season Preview - MTSU Softball
Thursday, February 05
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
Monday, April 21
