Title: Head coach, Purdue
Sport: Fastpitch Softball
Career Record: 186-150-3

Kim Maher just completed her sixth season at the helm of the Purdue program, after leading the Boilermakers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2008 and 2009. Maher became the second head coach in Boilermaker softball history on July 14, 2005.

In six seasons under Maher, the Boilermakers have posted a 186-150-3 record and have registered at least one win against each of their 10 conference foes. The team extended its streak of non-losing seasons to 13 in 2011, posting a 30-18-2 mark. The Boilermakers have advanced to the postseason three of the last five years including two NCAA Regional berths. Purdue has defeated eight ranked opponents, including three Top 10 teams, while garnering the first national ranking in program history during the 2009 season. As of 2010, her charges have been honored with seven All-Mideast Region, 12 All-Big Ten, four Academic All-District and 32 Academic All-Big Ten accolades.

Maher, who spent six seasons as an assistant coach at California, has represented the United States in numerous international competitions, including the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta where she won a gold medal, while also garnering valuable coaching experience as a clinician and at California under head coach Diane Ninemire.

“Kim brings experience at the highest level to the Purdue program,” Athletics Director Morgan J. Burke said. “She not only owns an Olympic gold medal, but has competed professionally and helped coach the California program, which is among the nation’s elite. She possesses the recruiting edge and competitive drive that will help our program become a nationally competitive program.”

In her first season with the Boilermakers, the team posted a 30-30 record, including a 7-12 conference mark, just one game away from a Big Ten Tournament berth. The 30-win season was the seventh straight in program history. Maher’s charges also carried on a tradition of academic success as six players garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors and one earned Academic All-America accolades.

In her time at California, Maher helped guide the Bears to the Women’s College World Series each of her six years, including a National Championship in 2002 and runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2004. The team finished near the top of the Pac-10 Conference standings from 2002-2005, including a league title in 2005. The Cal coaches were named NFCA/Speedline Coaching Staff of the Year in 2002, and earned NFCA Regional honors in 2003.

After graduating from Fresno State University in 1995, Maher founded Extreme Hitting, a company that conducted softball clinics for youth of all ages, including individualized lessons and workout programs intended to enhance performance. After a five-year run, the Buena High School alumna joined the staff at California.

Prior to entering the coaching world, Maher made her name as a player on both the international and professional stages. She helped launch the Women’s Professional Softball League, which began in 1997. Maher played for the Florida Wahoos, helping the team to the league title in 2000, while also being named to the All-Star team.

As a member of the United States Olympic and National teams, Maher participated in several international competitions and national tours. She has represented the United States in international competitions ranging from the 1995 Pan American Games to the 1997 World Championships, in addition to winning the gold in Atlanta. Most recently, she was named to the All-Star team at the Canada Cup International Women’s Fastpitch Tournament in 2002.

The Ventura, Calif., native, also played for the Redding Rebels, which won the Amateur Softball Association’s Major National Championship in 1993, 1994 and 1995. She set the ASA national home run record with five at the 1994 National Championships. Maher garnered ASA Women’s Major First Team All-America honors four times (1993, 1994, 1997 and 1998), and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1994.

Maher began her playing career as a shortstop at Fresno State (1991-94), where she earned second team All-America status her senior season. She finished her career as the Bulldogs’ all-time leader in home runs (31), RBI (181), runs (162) and doubles (49). The four-time all-conference and two-time all-region honoree helped Fresno State to three College World Series appearances (1991, 1992, 1994), including third-place finishes her first two seasons. In 1993, Maher led the Western Athletic Conference in slugging percentage, runs, hits and home runs, helping her earn Fresno State’s Female Athlete of the Year award.

Maher earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Fresno State in 1995. She received her master’s degree in sports psychology from John F. Kennedy University in 2005.