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University of St. Thomas Fastpitch Softball -
A Message from Coach John Tschida font color="#330066">"It is with great enthusiasm that I take on the challenge of continuing the excellence of fastpitch softball at the University of St. Thomas. There is a strong nucleus of players returning and their dedication towards becoming a national contender has been inspiring. What I want most for our players is to see them develop as people first and players second. I feel there is a strong correlation between what people accomplish off the field and what they are able to accomplish on the field. Excellence and pride have to be a way of life. Our student-athletes are expected to be leaders on campus. It is my belief that hard work and dedication is what makes a champion in all aspects of life. The way things are done needs to be important, more important than what is done. It doesn't matter whether we are an athlete, dentist, maintenace person or student, so long as we do it to the best of our ability and with an enthusiasm that is contagious and with a passion we can be proud of. Winning should be an after-thought. Before winning must come discipline, work ethic and a relentless dedication to doing what is right. I want to earn every victory we get. The best feeling in the world is walking away a champion, knowing that it is because you have earned it, not just on that day, but in all the days leading up to it. I look forward to pursuing these goals and in building a program that people can be proud of. When someone asks one of our student-athletes where they go to school and play ball, I want them to say with pride, "The University of St. Thomas!" In order to achieve this, we have to do more than what is considered average. Each and every person involved with the program - from the coaches down to the last player on the bench - will have to make some sacrifices and be relentless in their search for "a better way" , for ways to improve as people and as student-athletes. I look forward to pursuing this worthwhile goal. It is my passion! University of St. Thomas Fastpitch Softball - A Tradition of Excellence Meet Coach John Tschida font color="#330066">John Tschida is regarded among the elite coaches in all of college softball. In 2004 he became the first softball coach to win NCAA championships at two different schools. He also was named 2004 NFCA Division III National Coach of the Year. The 38-year-old St. Paul native guided the 2006 Tommies to a 48-4 finish, including a 24-1 mark against conference foes, and second place in NCAA Division III. The 48 wins tied a Division III record, and the team's 72 home runs in 52 games shattered the old D-III season record. Tschida's 2005 team won 32 of its last 33 games to close 43-6 and repeat as NCAA champion. He was again awarded national Coach of the Year honors. He guided St. Mary's to the 2000 NCAA Division III championship is his sixth season at his alma mater, then took the 2004 Tommies to NCAA gold in his fourth season at St. Thomas. The St. Paul native wanted a new challenge after leading St. Mary's to the championship, and he took the opportunity to come to St. Thomas in 2000. He reunited with his former high school baseball coach and mentor Dennis Denning, who led St. Thomas to the 2001 NCAA Division III baseball championship. Tschida has brought the same level of excellence to Tommie softball in his first six seasons that he did in his program at St. Mary's. His first Tommie team in 2001 shared the MIAC championship with a 20-2 conference record, reached the NCAA playoffs and finished 35-9. UST broke eight team and individual records. The 2002 Tommies made school history by becoming the first St. Thomas softball team to win the NCAA regional and reach the eight-team NCAA tournament. The Tommies placed fifth nationally and posted a 38-9 record, including a 21-1 conference mark that resulted in a record-setting five-game margin over the runners-up. The 2003 Tommies finished 32-6 for the best winning percentage in school history. Two one-run losses dropped them to 20-2 in the conference and denied them a repeat trip to the NCAA playoffs. The 2004 Tommies started 5-4 then won their final 41 games, including a 25-0 record vs. conference opponents and a remarkable 10-0 run through the postseason. The 41 consecutive wins set a Division III softball record and is second only to Arizona's 47 wins in 1995-96 among all NCAA programs. The 2005 Tommies won 31 of their last 32 games and went 10-0 in the postseason for the second year in a row. Remarkably, Tschida's Tommies never trailed in a 14-0 run through NCAA playoff games in 2004 and 2005. In 12 years of college coaching, Tschida has won three national championships and became the winningest Division III coach, active or retired,(winning percentage, .844) with a 449-83 record. Tschida has been named MIAC Coach of the Year seven of the last 12 years. His teams have been nationally ranked each year and in the last 10 seasons have posted an 209-11 record in conference regular-season play. In six seasons at St. Thomas, Tschida's teams have swept 60 conference twinbills, split five and were swept just once, and are 135-7 in all games vs. conference opponents. His players have earned 17 NCAA All-American honors, 36 Academic All-American honors, and 58 All-Conference honors. Tschidas 2000 St. Mary's team won its last 16 games to finish 40-6. The Cardinals won their last nine regular-season games and earned one of five at-large berths nationally into the NCAA playoffs. They went 3-0 to win the regional and became the first MIAC softball team ever to reach the national finals. St. Marys then went 4-0 at nationals to capture the schools first-ever NCAA championship in any sport. As a player, Coach Tschida is a three-time ASA Class "A" All-American. He has competed in several ISC World Tournaments, ASA National Tournament, and NAFA World Series. In 1998, Tschida was the leadoff hitter for the ASA Class "A" National Champion DMS Knights. In 2001, his IS Knights finished 10th in the World Championships. Were excited to have John Tschida directing our softball program," said St. Thomas athletic director Steve Fritz. "His remarkable record at St. Marys speaks for itself. He brought a reputation as a coach who will attract and strive for excellence in the classroom, on campus, as well as on the field. "Ive known John Tschida a long time," Denning said. "Simply put hes the best softball coach in the country. John Tschida Year-By-Year St. Thomas Softball, 2001-present YR----Overall---MIAC-----MIAC NCAA Playoff Playoff 2001--35-9---20-2 (t-1st) ---- 2-2 2002--38-9---21-1 (1st) ---- 4-3 (1st Region, 5th NCAA) 2003--32-6---20-2 (2nd) ---- --- 2004--46-4---22-0 (1st) 3-0 7-0 (1st Region, 1st NCAA) 2005--43-6(c)--21-1 (1st) 3-0 7-0 (1st Region, 1st NCAA) 2006--48-4(c)--21-1 (1st) 3-0 7-2 (1st Region, 2nd NCAA) Totals ------242-38--125-7 9-0 20-5 St. Marys Softball, 1995-2000 YR------Overall-----MIAC--------NCAA 1995--26-10 (c)--16-6 (3rd)----no bid 1996--26-13------15-7(t.2nd)----no bid 1997--37-5(c)----21-1 (1st)-----1-2 1998--38-3(c)----22-0 (1st)-----1-2 1999--40-8(c)----21-1 (1st)-----2-2 (2nd Region) 2000--40-6-------20-2 (2nd)-----7-0 (1st Region, 1st NCAA) SMU Totals -----207-45-----115-17-----11-6 ------(.821)----(.871)----(.647) Combined Career W-L (1995-2006) Overall------MIAC----------Postseason 449-83---------240-24--------47-13 (.844)---------(.909)--------(.783) (c)-MIAC Coach of the Year |
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ST. THOMAS TOMMIES |
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