katie tenboer, whitney sowers

Softball Morgan Vogels

Tenboer Elevated to Associate Athletic Director, Sowers to Depart Millikin Softball Program

The Millikin softball team is set to undergo a coaching search after co-head coaches Katie Tenboer and Whitney Sowers each accepted job opportunities in athletics administration.

Tenboer served in the head coach role for 10 years, posting a record of 50-32 in her first two seasons with Sowers as her assistant, and winning the CCIW regular season title in 2017. Sowers was promoted to the co-head coaching role in 2018, and together, the co-head coaches posted a record of 205-94 across eight seasons, winning three CCIW regular season titles and two CCIW tournament titles. The Big Blue advanced to the NCAA Tournament three times under their direction, including the team's run to the NCAA Division III Championships in Salem, Va. in 2022 where the team posted a 37-9 record, posting the most victories in a season in program history.

In their ten years at the helm of the program, the Big Blue have received 39 all-conference honors, eight National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region selections, and nods to two NFCA All-Americans, Kendallyn Davison and Addison Sargent. The pair were named the NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year for Region VIII in 2022.

Tenboer will remain on the Millikin staff as an Associate Athletic Director under Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement, Lori Kerans.

Sowers has accepted the Athletic Director role at Marshalltown Community College in her hometown, Marshalltown, Iowa. The Tigers are home to seven sports and compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Both Tenboer and Sowers have been heavily involved in leadership outside of the softball program in their time as co-head coaches, serving as the Millikin SAAC advisors, on various committees across campus, and managing the Big Blue Campus Store.

The Workman Family Softball Field and Millikin softball have been tabbed as the hosts of the 2027 NCAA Division III National Championships, hosting the top eight teams in the nation as they compete in a double elimination style tournament for the national title.

The Millikin athletics administration and softball program are looking forward to continuing the tradition of excellence both on the field and off as they begin the search for the program's next leader.
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Kendallyn Davison

#5 Kendallyn Davison

OF
Junior

Players Mentioned

Kendallyn Davison

#5 Kendallyn Davison

Junior
OF