July 10, 2007

So it is only fitting that NIU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jim Phillips announced on Tuesday that he has hired former DePaul University standout pitcher and assistant coach Lindsay Chouinard as the sixth softball coach in Huskie history.

"Northern Illinois could not have found a more perfect fit for our softball program than Lindsay Chouinard," Phillips said. "She brings outstanding credentials both as a coach and as a student-athlete, to our softball program.

"Similar to Marci Miller Jobson (women's soccer) and Carol Owens (women's basketball), two of the most recent additions to our head coaching staff, she excelled both academically and athletically as a student-athlete," Phillips continued. "As an assistant coach at one of the nation's most successful programs, she is familiar with recruiting the Chicagoland area. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Huskie family."

Chouinard, a three-time All-American hurler for the Blue Demons from 2000-03, is looking forward to her new job.

"Being given the opportunity to coach at Northern Illinois University is a dream come true," Chouinard said. "The energy and support throughout the NIU Athletic Department made my decision an easy one. 

"I relish the challenge of continuing the great history of the Northern Illinois softball program."

Chouinard, who served as an assistant coach at DePaul under Eugene Lenti from 2005 to 2007 played a vital role in the Blue Demons' run to the 2007 Women's College World Series and a No. 6 ranking in the nation. That ranking was the second highest in school history behind the 1999 squad that finished third in the USA Today / National Fastpitch Coaches Association final poll. The DePaul coaching staff was named both the Big East and NFCA Mideast Coaching Staff of the Year in 2007.

Last season, Chouinard mentored the Blue Demon pitching staff to the seventh best ERA in the nation (1.36) behind the dynamic duo of All-Americans Tracie Adix and Becca Heteniak. Adix, the Big East Pitcher of the Year, finished her senior season with a record of 22-4 and an ERA of 0.89, good for fifth-best in the nation. Heteniak, the Big East Rookie of the Year, went 20-6 with a 1.20 ERA and a team-best 180 strikeouts.

While Adix and Heteniak were crucial to DePaul's success as pitchers, Chouinard set the bar for all Blue Demon hurlers during her playing days.

As a freshman in 2000, Chouinard led the Blue Demons to the College World Series.  She picked up All-American honors while being named the NCAA Regional MVP, Conference USA Freshman of the Year and was named to the Conference USA All-Tournament Team.

Chouinard continued her success on and off the field during the next three years, earning All-America and Academic All-America honors in both 2002 and 2003. She was named the C-USA Player of the Year in 2003, the league's Pitcher of the Year twice (2002, 2003). She was named to the C-USA All-Tournament team her final three years.

Chouinard holds 10 of the 13 DePaul pitching records, including wins with 108 and strikeouts with 858.

After finishing a decorated college career, Chouinard was the second overall pick in the National Pro Fastpitch Softball League 2003 draft.  She spent her first season with the Texas Thunder before being picked up by the Chicago Bandits in 2005.  Chouinard was named to the league's All-Star team in 2005 after notching a 9-1 record.  

Lenti believes that Chouinard is a natural fit for Northern Illinois.

"Northern Illinois is getting a great coach," Lenti said. "Very few people know the game better than Lindsay.

"She is dedicated to perfection as she was both an All-American on the field and an Academic All-American in the classroom," Lenti continued. "I am sure that she will lead Northern Illinois to great things in the future.

"Lindsay will be sorely missed at DePaul and we wish her the best of luck at Northern."

Chouinard replaces Donna Martin who resigned last month after 13 years as head coach to pursue other career opportunities.

--NIU--