Friday, May 2, 2014

Bethune-Cookman's Chris Cochran Released as Softball Head Coach Before MEAC Tournament

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Bethune-Cookman University announced earlier today the release of head softball coach Chris Cochran from the program effective immediately.

Cochran served for the past eight years as head softball coach at B-CU and was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year in 2013 – her second honor in the past four seasons. From 2010-12, she guided the Wildcats to three consecutive MEAC championships, in addition to three NCAA Regional berths.

“We are grateful to Coach Cochran for guiding our program to three championships,” said Lynn W. Thompson, B-CU Director of Athletics. “She has allowed our softball team to regain a place as a perennial MEAC power. However, as we seek to radically transform our program in every aspect, we must make tough decisions that are in the best interest of the university and our athletics program in order to enhance the total student-athlete experience.”

During her eight-year stint at B-CU, Cochran compiled an overall record of 196-252 with three straight MEAC titles from 2010-2012. She had a career MEAC Tournament record of 20-11, while last year the Wildcats were eliminated in the second round of the tournament. Currently, the Wildcats lead the MEAC Southern division with a 10-2 record, and this weekend travels to Florida A&M with a chance to clinch the Southern division crown and a top seed in next week’s MEAC Softball Tournament in Ormond Beach, Fla.



To complete the remainder of the season, Thompson has appointed Sandra Booker, Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator, to provide management oversight of the softball program and remaining staff. She assumes that role immediately and will lead the team into this weekend’s series at FAMU, as well as the upcoming conference tournament taking place May 8-10.

Bringing over 20 years of coaching experience to the B-CU program, Cochran began her coaching career at Clear Creek High School in Tiffin, Iowa, where her teams advanced to three consecutive state tournaments. In 1991, she was named District Softball Coach of the Year.

After her years at Clear Creek, she served as an assistant coach at Ball State (1992-1994) and Marshall (1995-1998), before being named head coach at Brown University (1998-2001). At Brown, she helped developed two Brown Female Athletes of the Year.

After her stint at Brown, she joined the Iowa State coaching staff where, in 2002, she was named associate head coach.

Just prior to arriving at Bethune-Cookman in 2006, Cochran served as an assistant coach at Rutgers. Cochran was a three-year letterwinner for the University of Iowa's softball team (1981-1984). During that time she earned the Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Award.

In 1986, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education with a minor in Health Education from the University of Iowa.

Record at B-CU (Years)............................................. 196-252 (8)
Conference Championships.................... 3 (2010, 2011, 2012)
MEAC Tournament Record.................................................. 20-11
NCAA Regional Record.............................................................
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COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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