June 3, 2009
SOFTBALL TO RETURN TO PRINCIPIA COLLEGE IN 2010

ELSAH, Ill. - Principia College President Dr. Jonathan Palmer announced the return of NCAA Division III varsity softball beginning with the 2010 season.  The College will compete as a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC).

Highly acclaimed and longtime Principia Upper School softball coach Ken Leavoy will coach at the College during winter and spring, while continuing to coach at the School in the fall.  NCAA and MSHSAA guidelines support the concept, and the plan works because the softball programs at the School and College are played in opposite seasons.  

“I am thrilled that we are able to keep such a terrific coach at the School while at the same time tapping Ken’s immense talents to lead the reinstatement of softball at the College,” says College Athletic Director Lee Ellis.

Leavoy has coached the School softball program for the past nine years, winning Metro Women’s Athletic Association (MWAA) Conference and Class 2 District 3 championships the past two years.  His extensive background and experience coaching softball includes coaching and serving as an advance international scout for the Canadian Women’s Olympic and National teams during the past eight years.  He has also coached men’s professional teams in Canada, leading his team to a world ranking of fifth prior to the ISC World Tournament in 1996.  Many of the players on that team were members of the 1992 World Champion Canadian National Team.  Ken is a Level 3 NCCP- (National Coaching Certification Program of Canada) certified coach and a NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) member.

“As a Conference, we are excited Principia has decided to reinstitute its intercollegiate softball team.  It is a tremendous opportunity for all,” SLIAC Commissioner William J. Wolper said.  “Until this addition, softball was the only “team” sport that our full membership did not sponsor and now our softball student-athletes are able to share the experiences of competing against Principia College that the majority of our student-athletes have always enjoyed.”