Greene County News
FAIRBORN — Justine Wichman, an assistant softball coach the past two seasons at the University of Charleston (W.Va.), has accepted a similar position at Wright State, head coach Ray Loeser announced this week.
Wichman was an assistant under Loeser at Charleston in each of those two years, including the 2016 campaign that saw the Golden Eagles finish with a school-record 50 wins (50-12), win the NCAA Atlantic Regional and Super Regional titles and advance to the NCAA Division II College World Series in Denver, Colo. Charleston ended the season ranked no. 8 in the final National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Top 25 poll, the first national ranking in program history.
“Over the past few years Justine’s knowledge and development of our pitchers has been tremendous contribution to our overall success,” said Loeser. “Having her as my assistant not only makes our program and our pitching staff better, it makes our whole team better. She will be a great addition.”
Prior to joining the UC staff, Wichman had given individual pitching, hitting, and fielding instruction. Recent work experience includes working as softball director for camps in New York State where she met her mentor, Michael Baker. Wichman credits Baker, a veteran scout and coach in professional baseball, with inspiring her to teach skills with character.
Wichman began her coaching career as a fifth-year student at York College where she was the assistant softball coach, and had privileged responsibilities which included recruiting and creating practices. Wichman was primarily in charge of hitting, outfielders, pitchers, and conditioning this past season while also overseeing compliance, developing workout schedules, and providing leadership by establishing, and enforcing team regulations.
A native of Red Rock, Okla. Wichman was a five-sport letter winner before graduating from Enid High School. She played college softball at Northern Oklahoma College, completing an associate’s degree magna cum laude in Physical Sciences. She played a year at Rogers State University before finishing her softball career, coaching endorsement and bachelor’s degree in Sports Management with a 3.7 GPA at York College in Nebraska in 2014.
An all-conference performer for Northern Oklahoma and York, Wichman ranked in the top 15 nationally in both doubles and doubles per game and ended her playing career with a .365 batting average.
Wichman and her husband, Kyle, were married last December.
Along with the addition of Wichman, Loeser has also announced assistants Dave Brittingham and Jess Gorman will remain on staff.