GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern University Pirates Softball Head Coach Angela Froboese has stepped down, ending her 11-year tenure as the only head coach the softball team has ever known.

"We wish Coach Froboese much success in her upcoming career plans and are very appreciative of the quality softball program she built for Southwestern University," Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Glada Munt said. "Coach Froboese developed our program from the ground up, being the coach to start our program and quickly turning us into one of the top teams in the SCAC and NCAA West Region. 

"The Athletic Department will immediately start a national search for the next head coach who can continue our trajectory towards being a national contender."

Froboese opened and ended her Southwestern University career with the SCAC Coach of the Year Award, winning five times total, including three consecutive awards from 2009-2012, leading the softball team to an 81-44 record over the first three years of the program. This season, the Pirates finished 35-6 and 18-3 in SCAC play, advancing to the conference championship game.

Southwestern University has earned a spot in the SCAC Conference Tournament every year, entering as the No. 1 seed twice. In 2010 and 2013, Southwestern won the conference title and earned a bid to the NCAA Regional. In 2010 they advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinal before falling to eventual national champion East Texas Baptist University 3-2.

Her 136 conference wins are the most of any coach in the SCAC since softball became a conference sport prior to the 1999 season. Froboese leaves with a career record of 365-241-1, including her four seasons at Howard Payne, and a 280-176-1 record at Southwestern University.

"I'd just like to thank the administration for the opportunity to build a nationally-ranked program," Froboese said. "And I especially want to thank all my players past and present for all the work they've put in for me and this program.

"It's been a privilege to coach such amazing athletes who are incredible students and, more importantly, even better people. I will miss them but I look forward to future opportunities."