HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – After nearly a decade of service to Northern Kentucky University Athletics, softball coach Kathryn Gleason has decided to pursue a new opportunity as the head of the Northern Illinois's softball program; members of the Mid-American Conference. The announcement
was made official by the Huskies on Tuesday.
The move returns the Illinois native back to her home state and just over an hour drive from Chicago and her hometown of Country Club Hills.
Gleason ends her historic run with the Norse ranked second all-time in program history in victories to go with being the winningest coach in school history at the NCAA Division I level. She led NKU to its first Horizon League Championship and NCAA appearance in program history in 2023 and concluded her time with a record of 173-250 (.409) overall. That mark includes Northern Kentucky's only two Power Five wins in school history with victories over Michigan this year and Michigan State in 2023.
Her departure marks the end of a transformative nine-year tenure at NKU, during which she significantly contributed to the growth and raised the bar for success with the program. Her nine years at the helm included 22 All-Horizon League selections, eight Horizon League All-Freshman Team honorees, 11 Horizon League All-Tournament selections, two Horizon League Defensive Players of the Year and Coach of the Year honors in 2023.
"I want to thank Kathryn for her nine years leading the NKU softball program," vice president and director of athletics Christina Roybal said. "She took the softball program to new heights, winning games against Power Five opponents, and our first NCAA regional appearance. While I wish she was choosing to stay a Norse, I know she is going to do great things back home at Northern Illinois."
A national search will be underway for the next leader of the Norse softball program.
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