Softball coaching icon Margie Wright will retire

After 27 years as Fresno State softball coach, Margie Wright announced Sunday, May 6, that she will retire at the end of the 2012 season.

Fresno State President John D. Welty said, “Margie Wright has shared her passion for excellence with hundreds of student-athletes, inspiring them to be achievers in the classroom and on the diamond.”

He added, “Her legacy includes Olympic medal winners, All-Americans and former players who have followed her into coaching. Margie’s community connection has brought thousands of people to campus. And she has been a fierce advocate for expanding and improving athletics for women.”

Welty said, “Margie Wright has built a solid foundation for Fresno State softball and it’s difficult to imagine her not being in the dugout with her players. We thank her for 27 outstanding years of coaching Bulldog softball.”

Wright’s teams have won 1,454 games – the most of any NCAA Division 1 softball coach. Of those, 1,291 victories were earned by Bulldog teams since she arrived on campus in 1986. The 1998 Bulldogs won the Division 1 national title.

She also was an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic softball team and 16 players she coached competed in the four Olympics in which softball was included.