HEAD COACH WOMEN'S SOFTBALL
UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
softball program," Thomas said. "She has an excellent recruiting
background, and understands the Mid-American Conference and this
geographic footprint. She can also teach the game, is a strong
communicator and has the ability to motivate student-athletes. Julie
also understands the external side, the importance of fund-raising
and connecting with our alumni base. I think she is a great fit
chemistry-wise for our department and will hit the ground running."
"I'm excited about the Akron job and can't wait to get started," Wright
said. "I'm thankful to Mike Thomas and the administration for the
opportunity and think this is a great match for both of us. The
University has made great strides in recent years and I want the
softball program to be a part of that success."
In her time at Kansas, Wright served as coordinator of recruiting,
academics and scheduling. She was responsible for the
development of the outfielders, middle infielders and served as
hitting instructor. She was instrumental in the development of 2001
first-team All-Region selection Leah Tabb and 2002 National Fastpitch
Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American Christi Musser. In 2001,
Wright helped KU finish in a tie for third place in the Big 12
Conference regular-season race and her work with the slap hitters
led to a more than 50-point increase in team batting average
between the 2000 and 2001 campaigns. The 2004 squad posted a
33-28-1 mark, the program's fourth-consecutive winning season.
No stranger to the Mid-American Conference, the 32-year-old Wright
competed for Ohio from 1990-94, logging three seasons as a starting
outfielder and her senior year as shortstop. She spent the 1996-99
seasons as an assistant coach for the Bobcat program. Wright
graduated from the school in 1995 with a sociology degree with an
emphasis in criminology.
"I'm looking forward to coming back to the MAC, a league I played in
and had a chance to coach in," Wright said. "It's also a positive to
come back to Ohio because I'm familiar with the recruiting area.
Hopefully we can make some noise in the MAC soon."
Following graduation, Wright spent one year (1995) as an assistant
scheduler for Ohio Governor George Voinovich. She also worked for
one year (1996) as a parole officer in the Department of
Rehabilitation/Correction in Columbus, Ohio.
Wright enjoys reading and working out in her leisure time.