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Life > Athletics > Softball > Archives > 2003
News > December 18, 2002
BLOWERS NAMED ASSISTANT
SOFTBALL COACH AND COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR AT TWU
DENTON, TX—Texas Woman's University Director of
Athletics Chalese Connors announced today that Marty Blowers
has been appointed as the Pioneers' compliance coordinator
and assistant softball coach. Blowers comes to TWU after spending
six years as the head coach and compliance coordinator at the
University of Southern Colorado. She is also working towards
her doctorate in Sports Management at TWU.
“I am very happy to be a part of Texas Woman's University
and the Pioneer Athletics program. Leaving Southern Colorado
to come to TWU and work towards my doctorate degree has been
a very positive change,” Blowers said. “I look forward
to working in the athletics office and with one of the best
softball coaches in the country, Dianne Baker.”
Blowers guided the Thunderwolves to their best season ever
in 2001 when the team went 52-12-1, won the Rocky Mountain
Athletic Conference Tournament, and hosted the NCAA Division
II South Central Regional Tournament. In her six seasons at
USC, Blowers' teams have gone 184-133-1. In her 12-year career
as a head coach, Blowers is 362-285-1. Under Blowers, Southern
Colorado produced two All-Americans, five all-region players
and 34 All-RMAC honorees. More importantly, Blowers' clubs
have had two academic All-Americans, 14 academic all-conference
players, and two Verizon/Phillips 66 Academic Award Winners,
one that graduated from USC summa cum laude. As compliance
coordinator, she oversaw the activities and issues regarding
eligibility of all athletes in 10 sports. Blowers created and
maintained the compliance manual and provided NCAA and conference
compliance interpretation of regulations.
Blowers arrived at USC after a six-year stint as head coach
at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. While
at the helm of SHSU's program, Blowers led the Ladykats to
a 178-152 overall record and a 101-67 mark in the Southland
Conference. During her first two seasons at Sam Houston, the
Ladykats placed second in the Southland Conference with Blowers'
1992 squad recording the third-highest win total ever in the
program's 17-year history. That 1992 team also finished the
season ranked nationally in pitching (13th), batting (9th),
home runs (1st), and stolen bases (5th). From 1990-93, Sam
Houston recorded the best conference record of the league's
eight teams, going 60-20 over that three-year span. In 1993,
Blowers guided Sam Houston to a 39-15 record, the Southland
Conference title and the National Invitational Tournament Championship.
She was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year as
her team was ranked nationally in pitching (23rd), win/loss
percentage (9th) and double plays (23rd). Over her six seasons
at SHSU, Blowers coached 17 all-conference performers, 10 academic
All-Americans, two all-region selections, one junior Olympian
and a professional softball player.
Prior to Sam Houston, Blowers spent two seasons as an assistant
coach at the University of Hawaii from 1989-90, and at the
University of Texas-Arlington from 1985-89. Blowers received
her bachelor's degree from Texas-Arlington in 1986 and master's
degree from Sam Houston State in 1992. As a member of the University
of Texas-Arlington softball team, Blowers was twice named All-Southland
Conference. As an active member of the National Fastpitch Coaches
Association, Blowers serves on the NFCA Top 25 Poll Committee
and the NFCA All-American selection committee. In the past,
she has served on the ethics, grant and convention committees.
She has also served as a national clinician and speaker as
well as the chair of the Southland Conference Softball Committee.
“TWU Athletics is extremely fortunate to have Marty Blowers
on staff,” Connors said. “I'm
thrilled we are able to enhance our softball coaching staff
as well as bring on a compliance coordinator who will have
an immediate impact on our program. A coach and administrator
of Marty's caliber doesn't usually fall in your lap, but TWU
is quite blessed that she chose our institution to do her doctorate
work. Her appointment not only helps us fulfill part
of our strategic plan in adding full-time assistant coaches,
she will also take on the responsibilities of the compliance
coordinator. Her experience will be invaluable to us.”
In the past, the director of athletics also
served as the department's compliance coordinator. A
need for a new compliance coordinator became evident since
Connors will be
taking maternity leave next month. Blowers' appointment is
effective immediately.
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