The UTSA softball program will begin the 2011 season with a new head coach after former head coach, Lori Cook, resigned to pursue other career opportunities.
Cook came to UTSA in 2001 as a volunteer assistant coach. In 2004, she was promoted to Assistant Head Coach. In 2006, Cook became the third head coach in program history.
That would prove to be a banner year for the softball program as the team slugged 105 home runs in 51 games en route to a Southland Conference (SLC) regular season title, tournament title and the school’s second-ever berth in the NCAA tournament.
The following season, the 2007 campaign, would see Cook’s Roadrunners finish 27-31 overall and 18-12 in the Southland. The team would finish third in the SLC, but senior infielder Jessica Rogers was named SLC student-athlete of the year.
The 2008 season saw an improvement in the Roadrunners record as they posted a 25-25 record with wins over then #22 Texas and Missouri, which went on to a 47-17 record and a super-regional. The Roadrunners would finish third in SLC play with a 20-10 record.
The 2009 version of the Roadrunners finished at .500 again with a 29-29 overall record, once again, the Roadrunners finished third in the SLC with an 18-11 record. The Roadrunners were well represented on the all-conference team with five players named to the team.
Cook’s final season, 2010, saw a step back in the Roadrunners’ ledger as they finished 23-29 overall. The Roadrunners broke even in SLC play with a 15-15 record but did not make the conference tournament.
“She made a decision to do something differently,” Director of Athletics Lynn Hickey said. “We are sorry to lose her but we will move forward.”
For the Roadrunners, the 2011 season will begin with Assistant Coach Stephanie Hughes taking the reigns as head coach.
“Stephanie Hughes will be the interim Head Coach and then at the end of the season we will begin a national search for a new coach,” Hickey said. “Anyone on our [softball] staff will be able to apply and we hope they do.”
The Roadrunners open the season February 11 in Waco, Texas, where they will face Illinois, McNeese State, and Baylor in the Getterman Classic.
