- Women's Sports
Coaches
Head Coach
Danielle Lowe (University of Findlay, '06, M.A. '08)
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Phone: (937) 484-1325
After a February announcement that Urbana University Head Softball Coach Nicole Pluger would step down from her post to accept a promotion to Associate Athletic Director, the search began for Pluger's successor. On May 11th, that search ended with Athletic Director Doug Young's announcement that Danielle Lowe had been named the newest Head Coach of the Blue Knight softball program.
"Although we will miss Coach Pluger on the softball field, we are excited about the new direction we are headed," explained Young. "Danielle comes from a program with a proud tradition of excellence, and we look forward to the positive attributes she will bring to our program and the University."
Lowe comes to Urbana from the University of Findlay where she spent four seasons as an assistant coach following three seasons as the Oilers' starting second baseman. She served as team captain as a senior while capturing all-academic accolades from the GLIAC conference. On the field, Lowe was named the team's top defensive player while batting .255 with 26 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs. During her time at Findlay, Lowe earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree. She received a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Mathematics AYA Education in December of 2006. Two years later, she completed her Master's Degree in Education, with a Human Resource Development Strand and an Emphasis on Leadership.
Lowe also played a year of varsity softball at Division I Eastern Michigan University, and she's served as a head coach of the Wizards, a summer league softball organization in Toledo. Her new position at Urbana is her first collegiate head coaching gig.
"I am very excited to get out on my own," said Lowe. "This is a great opportunity to get my coaching philosophies in play at a new Division II University."
The 2010-11 school year will be Urbana University's first as a full-fledged NCAA Division II member. Having spent the past seven years at a Division II institution, Lowe believes her experiences at that level give her an advantage as a first-year head coach.
"I feel like I'm a step ahead already because I've played and coached at the D-II level," explains Lowe. "I just can't wait to get started."
Danielle is engaged to be married in October to Kyle Thwaits. Originally from Jackson, Michigan, Danielle currently resides in Findlay, but she plans to move closer to Urbana soon.
Assistant Coach
Jeff Eichelberger
Jeff Eichelberger joined the Blue Knight coaching staff in the fall of 2008, serving his first season as an assistant coach in 2009. For the second year in a row, Eichelberger's primary focus will be on the pitching staff for the Blue Knights. He has 13 years of coaching experience in summer leagues around Ohio, and 10 years of coaching experience at Northeastern High School in Springfield, Ohio.
Jeff currently resides in South Charleston, Ohio with his wife, Jacquie. He has two daughters, Shari and Cari.