Holly Bruder, a highly successful coach at Denison University in Ohio, has been named the head softball coach at Morehead State. Bruder takes over the Eagle softball program after six seasons at Denison, three of which resulted in the Big Red advancing the NCAA Division III championships.
"I am excited about taking on this new position. I really appreciate (Director of Athletics) Brian (Hutchinson) and (Assistant Director of Athletics) Melissa (Dunn) showing me the ins and outs of Morehead State, and I really felt like this was the right fit for me," she said. "The athletic department at MSU is definitely moving in the right direction, and I felt there was a real commitment to the future of the program."
Bruder compiled a 145-105 (.580 winning percentage) record in six seasons at Denison, including going 63-28 (.692) in the last two seasons. Also, the Big Red were 31-5 at home in 2006 and 2007. Her teams captured four North Coast Athletic Conference regular season titles during her six-year tenure.
"Leaving Denison was a very hard decision to come to because I really take pride in where that program is right now since I came there six years ago, but at the same time, coaching at a higher level is something I have always had on my mind and aspired to do, and this is a great opportunity. I look forward to getting down there and working with the girls and building our team into a contender in the conference."
"We are very pleased that Holly has agreed to take on this challenge. She brings with her the winning tradition that we strive for in all of our athletic programs." said Melissa Dunn, Assistant Director of Athletics. "Holly will be an integral part in the MSU Intercollegiate Athletics family."
She began her coaching career at Albion College in Michigan in 1999 and 2000 where she was an assistant coach. In her short time there, she helped transform a downtrodden program into a contender, helping guide the team into the conference tournament for the first time in three decades. From there, she spent one season as assistant softball coach and head women's tennis coach at Bluffton College in 2001, where her twin sister Heather is the current head softball coach. She helped Bluffton to the league's best record and spot in the tournament.
After a stellar prep career at Rogers City (Mich.) High School, Bruder was a four-year letterwinner and standout softball and soccer player at Alma College. She helped Alma win three conference titles and advance to the Division III College World Series in 1999, where her squad took third place nationally. She was named Second-Team All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1999.
Among her other activities, Bruder coaches the USA Athletes softball teams, where she has had the opportunity to travel to Germany, Aruba and Australia as an ambassador for the game. She is also an ASA and NSA certified umpire and was on the Central Region All-America Committee from 2003-2006.