Why has the University of Michigan softball team been to the Women’s College World Series four out of the last five years? Why have the Wolverines placed first in the Big Ten Conference regular season 10 out of the last 15 years? Why have there been 12 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths? Look no further than the woman up front, whom they call “Coach Hutch”, Carol Hutchins.

Carol Hutchins entered the Michigan softball program in 1983. Before she was appointed head coach for the Wolverines in 1985, the team had only clinched one post-season berth, in the 1982 season. Previous to 1985, Michigan compiled a 163-106 (.606) record. Since Carol Hutchins took the helm, the Michigan Wolverines have compiled an impressive 963-360 (.728) mark including 10 Big Ten regular season titles, eight Big Ten Tournament Championships, three straight NCAA Tournament Super Regional appearances, and an astounding National Championship in 2005. The key ingredient to the softball program’s success seems to lie in the coaching of Carol Hutchins.

Four of Coach Hutchins’ 2005 National Championship Wolverines, Jessica Merchant, Jennie Ritter, Tiffany Haas, and Nicole Motycka were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Americans. Under the direction of Coach Hutch, the Wolverines were the first team east of the Mississippi and in the eastern time zone to claim the NCAA Tournament Championship.

To add to Carol Hutchins’ accomplishments, she is the most victorious coach at the University of Michigan, women’s or men’s; a mark that would make any football fan envious. She was also named the Big Ten Coach of the Year on seven occasions, the 1995 NFCA Coach of the Year, and ranks in the Top 10 in Division I in winning percentage and career wins. Additionally, in her 14 trips to the NCAA Tournament, her team has advanced to the Women’s College World Series eight times. She has mentored 25 All-Americans and 10 GTE Academic All-Americans.

Coach Carol Hutchins has built this Michigan Wolverine team into a national power. Individual players have contributed exceptional talent during her successful tenure, but Coach Hutch should be commended for pulling them together into a cohesive lineup. Wolverine fans are proud of the softball program here at Michigan because of the foundation Hutchins has built and is continuing to build. In February of 2007, Coach Hutch will enter her 22^nd season for the Wolverines. Another successful season under the orchestration of Carol Hutchins is highly anticipated.