Pluger to be Promoted After the Season
URBANA, Ohio (February 2, 2010) - Urbana University Athletic Director Doug Young announced this week that Head Softball Coach Nikki Pluger (pictured) will be promoted to the position of Associate Athletic Director/Director of Compliance immediately following the 2010 spring season. Pluger will continue her duties as Senior Women's Administrator, but she will step down as Head Softball Coach.
"Although Nikki's leadership qualities will be missed within our softball program, we have a unique opportunity to utilize her many talents to positively affect our entire athletic department, as well as the entire University," explained Young.
"Nikki has earned her place at the administrative level and I look forward to working with her as we move our athletic department into a very exciting and prosperous future," Young continued.
Young also announced that the search for a new head softball coach is already underway.
On the heels of the announcement, Pluger will continue preparing for her sixth and final season at the helm of the Urbana University softball program. Under her guidance, the program earned its first conference championship in 2007. The Dayton resident was named conference and regional coach of the year following that season, and in 2008, Pluger's team earned its first national ranking.
Last year, Pluger helped usher the program into the NCAA Division II era by notching her second 20-win season. The Blue Knights finished 21-24, playing a schedule of primarily D-II competition for the first time in school history. Under Pluger, the program experienced an improvement in wins in four of five seasons.
Pluger's players have also excelled in the classroom. This past fall, the team posted a 3.12 cumulative GPA, and eight Blue Knights were named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
"This is an exciting time, and I look forward to the new challenges that await me in my new position," explains Pluger. "At the same time, it has also been an extremely tough decision for me to give up my coaching responsibilities at the end of the season. Urbana softball has been a part of my life for the last five years, and I will continue to be one of their biggest fans."
"I am confident that we have the talent and leadership to carry us through the year and beyond," adds Pluger.
The Blue Knights begin the 2010 season on the road at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee on Saturday, February 20th.