Gallagher Announces Resignation
June 24, 2005 | Softball
Karen Gallagher, the only coach in University of Wisconsin softball history, announced her resignation Friday according to Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez.
'It is time for a new chapter in my life,' said Gallagher, who was named coach on Aug. 29, 1994, and spent her first season recruiting a staff and student-athletes for the team which began play in 1995-96. 'My time at the UW has been very rewarding and I'm proud of the things we've accomplished. But I'm ready to step aside from the Badger program to pursue some other opportunities.'
Gallagher led her 2005 team to a 31-24 overall record, which included a fifth-place finish in the Big Ten. The Badgers won 18 of 20 late season games this spring and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history. Wisconsin hosted an NCAA Regional at the Goodman Diamond, where it lost consecutive games to 23rd-ranked DePaul and No. 6 Oregon State. One of the highlights of the conference season was a 3-2 extra inning loss to eventual NCAA champion Michigan.
'Karen started the program from scratch and did a number of good things in establishing some traditions for Wisconsin softball,' said Alvarez. 'Three of her teams made the NCAA Tournament and five won at least 30 games. I want to express my appreciation for her hard work and for taking the program to where it stands today as a tournament qualifier.'
Gallagher, who came to the UW after six years as an assistant coach at Cal, registered a 271-268-2 mark. Her Big Ten record was 85-121. Her players earned 15 All-Big Ten honors and Andrea Kirchberg became the program's first All-American in 2000. This year's team smashed 54 home runs, which more than doubled the previous school record.
A national search for Gallagher's replacement will begin immediately according to Alvarez.
