CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – After 17 seasons at the helm of the Lesley University Softball program, Jen Benway has announced that she will step down as head coach of the Lynx. Benway, who has also served as the Athletics Director since 2011, will continue in that role.
"It was an incredibly difficult decision to retire from softball after 17 seasons, but the time to take a step back is right for me and my family, said Benway. "I am so thankful for President Moore and Dean Mays who always supported me coaching after I was named Athletics Director five years ago. I felt incredibly supported in my dual role at the University and appreciate that coaching here at Lesley was always my decision."
"I want to thank all of my former players, coaches, administrators, friends, colleagues, parents, and family – I thank you for your support, for giving me the opportunity to coach a sport that has had such a positive impact on my life since I first picked up a bat in fifth grade. I will continue to be Lesley's biggest fan, but I will now be cheering from the sidelines with my beautiful four year old son. It has been an incredible journey – one I am very proud to be a part of for the last 17 years."
Benway has put together quite the illustrious career in her 17 seasons, accumulating 288 wins and posting an incredible 121-17 regular season record in the New England Collegiate Conference. She led her teams to seven conference titles, five NCAA Tournament appearances, and two ECAC Tournament appearances.
Under her tutelage, the Lynx won 20 or more games in eight of the last nine seasons and had a five year stretch from 2008 through 2012 where they won 26 or more each season. Benway coached 55 All-Conference players since 2000 in addition to 14 players that have been honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. In 2012, the Lynx were among the best offensive teams in the NCAA, and led the country a .390 team batting average. Benway was also named NECC Coach of the Year in 2011.
"As I move on to this new chapter in my life, coaching here at Lesley, coaching amazing student-athletes, and the friendships that I have developed with my colleagues over the last 17 years will forever be some of the greatest memories, relationships, and achievements of my life. I feel so blessed to have been a part of a program that struggled so early on and is now a championship-caliber team."
"I look forward to continuing to be a member of the ever-growing Lesley community as the Athletics Director and will be extremely committed to the search for a new head coach. We want someone who will be passionate about teaching the game of softball at a high level, has the ability to connect with players on a personal and professional level and the desire to recruit talented players from across the country. We want our potential student-athletes to follow in the Lynx tradition of being strong on the field, classroom, and community."
"The new coach will be walking into a very positive situation. The team will return a solid core of talented players and will be strengthened by our incoming recruiting class. After losing in the NECC Championship this season, the team is ready and excited for the challenge to become conference champions once again."