WICHITA, Kan. - Kristi Bredbenner has been named head softball coach at Wichita State after a highly successful tenure at Emporia State, WSU Director of Athletics Eric Sexton announced Monday.
"Kristi comes to us as an experienced and respected softball coach that has presented a vision for Wichita State which builds on the foundation and direction of the softball program," Sexton said. "I see a very bright future for softball at Wichita State with Kristi's recruiting expertise and player development abilities. She is a winner and will instill that mentality throughout the softball program."
Bredbenner recently completed her sixth season as Emporia State's head coach where she had unprecedented success as the winningest softball coach in ESU's history in both wins (326) and winning percentage (.763). She leaves ESU after competing in the school's seventh-straight NCAA postseason appearance, while she was also the NCAA Division II winningest active coach.
"It is an honor that Wichita State has the faith in me, and I appreciate Eric Sexton and Becky Endicott for giving me the opportunity," Bredbenner said. "Wichita State has a great tradition in athletics, and I look forward to putting the softball program at the top of the conference. I am excited to get started and begin recruiting the best softball players I can find to attend Wichita State."
In 2011 the Hornets went 42-16 to earn an at-large berth in NCAA Tournament, while two players were named All-America.
In 2010 she coached the Hornets to their sixth-straight MIAA Championship and the NCAA Division II Regional.
In 2009 the Hornets won both the MIAA Championship and earned a victory in the MIAA Tournament.
In 2008 ESU made their second trip the national championship game as she was named the MIAA Coach of the Year and NFCA/Speedline Regional Coaching Staff of theYear.
In 2007 Bredbenner was the MIAA Coach of the Year and led the squad to their second straight regional championship game coming just short of a second NCAA World Series berth.
In 2006 she led the Hornets to the NCAA Division II National Championship game. Her squad finished with a record of 62-7, which set the MIAA record for wins in a season. Bredbenner and her staff were named the NCFA/Speedline Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.
Before coming to ESU Bredbenner spent three seasons as the top assistant at UC-Santa Barbara. Working with players in all aspects of the game, she played an instrumental role in guiding the Gauchos to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2004, and a second place finish in the tough Big West Conference--the highest finish in UCSB history.
She was also the interim head coach at her alma mater, Truman State University, during the 2002 season. The Bulldogs went 31-19, won the MIAA Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament under her guidance.
As a player, Bredbenner was a four-time All-MIAA pick, two-time Division II All-American and was named MVP of the conference in 2000. In her four years at Truman she claimed nearly every hitting record, including career and single season records for games played, at bats, hits, doubles, home runs, total bases, RBI's, walks, batting average, and slugging percentage. Her three home run day against the Hornets on April 7, 2000 is tied for fourth all-time on the Division II single game list.
The O'Fallon, Mo., native graduated from Truman in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in business/marketing and received her master's degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific University.
Kristi Bredbenner Career Record
Year, School, Season Record (Pct), Postseason
2002, Truman State, 31-19 (.620), NCAA Regional
2006, ESU 62-7, (.899), NCAA World Series Runner-up
2007, ESU 50-12, (.807), NCAA Regional
2008, ESU 48-17, (.739), NCAA World Series Runner-up
2009, ESU 43-16, (.729), NCAA Regional
2010, ESU 50-14, (.781), NCAA Regional
2011, ESU 42-16, (.724), NCAA Regional
Career Totals: 326-101 (.763)
Named 2006 NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year
Named 2008 NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year
MIAA Coach of the Year 2007, 2008 and 2010
Kristi Bredbenner Playing Career
Truman State University 1998-2001
Two-Time All-American
2001 All-American Third Team
2000 All-American First Team
2000 MIAA Most Valuable Player
Four-Time All-MIAA Selection
2001 All-MIAA First Team
2000 All-MIAA First Team
1999 All-MIAA Second Team
1998 All-MIAA Second Team
Education
B.S., Truman State University 2001
M.S., Azusa Pacific University 2005
What they say:
Emporia State Director of Athletics Kent Weiser:
"Coach Bredbenner established herself as one of the best softball coaches in the country while here at Emporia State. Throughout her six seasons, ESU has become one of the most successful and respected softball programs in the NCAA."
"It is tough to see Kristi leave ESU, but the opportunity at Wichita State is a great one. I appreciated the professionalism of WSU Athletics and Eric Sexton throughout their search, and believe they have made an excellent choice."
"As sad and difficult as it is to see Coach Bredbenner leave Emporia State, we are excited for her with this new opportunity at WSU. She knows how to build and lead a championship program, on the field and in the classroom. I'm confident she'll do a great job for the Shockers."
"Emporia State Softball has consistently played for championships under Coach Bredbenner's leadership. She recruits quality student-athletes, who are not only great players, but great students as well. Her teams have been great representatives of Hornet Athletics, and I'm grateful to have had the chance to work with her for the past six years."