SOFTBALL

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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo announced today that Marie Curran has been named head coach of UB's first Division I softball program.

Prior to coming to UB, Curran served as an assistant coach at the Mid-American Conference's Northern Illinois University from 1997-1999 and Creighton University, a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, from 1995-1997.

Curran will take over a UB softball program - part of six mandated sports by the Mid-American Conference which also includes football, volleyball, baseball and men's and women's basketball - that has operated at the club level since the late 1980's. The program is expected to play a non-conference Division I schedule in the spring of 2000 and will become official members of the Mid-American Conference in the 2000-2001 academic year.

In announcing Curran as UB's softball coach, Director of Athletics Bob Arkeilpane felt that Curran was the perfect fit for the position.

"Marie has an outstanding background and qualifications," commented Arkeilpane. "Her enthusiasm and familiarity with the MAC was exactly what we were looking for in a head coch. I feel that she is the kind of coach recruits will love to play for."

Curran is excited about getting back to her home state to start her head coaching career.

"I'm from New York originally, so I already knew great things about the University at Buffalo," said Curran. "On my visit I was really impressed with the athletic staff and the atmosphere of the athletic department and the University as a whole. Being a New Yorker, I have a personal desire to put Buffalo softball on the national map."

At Northern Illinois, Curran was instrumental in helping the Huskie players develop in the hitting department while spending the majority of her time working with the outfielders and catchers. She also served as the Huskies Recruiting Coordinator and Academic Coordinator as well as director for camps and clinics.

Curran's coaching efforts helped guide the Huskies to a 33-16-1 overall and 21-6-1 MAC record for second place in the league's West Division in 1998. The Huskies are currently in first place in the MAC for the 1999 season with a 28-17 overall and 18-4 league mark. Curran will conclude her duties with the Huskies at the end of this season.

A native of Chester, NY, Curran began her coaching career at Creighton University in 1995 where she assisted in all aspects of on-field coaching as well as recruiting and academic coordination. She also served as the camp and clinic director in her two years at the school.

Curran's educational background and playing experience are impressive as she was a four-year letterwinner at Trenton State College from 1988-1993 under legendary softball coach Dr. June Walker. Curran was a three-year starter at catcher for the Lions and helped guide the team to two NCAA Division III National Championships in 1989 and 1992. In 1993, Curran was named a First Team National Softball Coaches Association All-American and was named Player of the Year for the New Jersey Athletic Conference, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. She was also named to the Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team and the Mid Atlantic Region All-Tournament Team while at Trenton State. Upon graduation, Curran was invited to attend the Amateur Softball Association/USA Olympic trials Levels I & II in 1994.

Curran received her Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from Trenton State in 1993 and is currently working towards a Master's in Education from Northern Illinois.

Softball was played at UB until the 1985-86 season and had some outstanding success in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) circuit including a 19-9 effort during the 1985 season accompanied by an appearance in the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament.

Curran is anxious to start building a softball tradition at UB.

"Getting the program started will be a tough but exciting challenge for me," said Curran.

"One advantage that I have is that I became an assistant at NIU in the school's first year in the MAC so I have experienced some of the challenges a program must go through in their first year in a new conference. My philosophy is 'fundamentals first'. If we can become a fundamentally sound team at UB I am confident that we will be competitive in the MAC."