Title: Head coach, Purdue
Sport: Fastpitch Softball
Career Record:

Kim Maher is in her fourth season at the helm of the Purdue program after becoming the second head coach in Boilermaker softball history on July 14, 2005. 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.

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 2008, Maher led the Boilermaker program to its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth and victory, while she and her staff garnered NFCA Mideast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year accolades. Purdue posted a 35-23 mark, including a 9-9 showing in the Big Ten, good for fifth place. Three players were named to the All-Big Ten teams, while four garnered All-Mideast Region honors.

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 fi nishes 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. Maher said that her coaching experience at California, and Purdue’s similarities to that environment were attractive.

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.