University of Minnesota Duluth athletic director Josh Berlo announced Thursday that Lynn Anderson, who spent the past three seasons as the head coach of Grinnell College (Iowa), a Division III member of the NCAA, has been named the next University of Minnesota Duluth head softball coach.  Anderson becomes only the 5th head coach in the last 40 years of the Bulldog softball program.
 
"I couldn't be more excited to join the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Twin Ports community," said Anderson. "Not only is the Bulldog Softball program nationally respected, the success of all the coaches and student-athletes at UMD is second to none.  The leadership at the university and the athletic department is first class.  Along with the campus community, the city of Duluth is a place that I fell in love with the moment I arrived and I could feel the strong support the student-athletes have here.  There's a great sense of UMD pride here and I'm grateful for this opportunity to be a part of it.  I am looking forward to jumping right in with this current roster, building relationships and getting this program back to the NCAA tournament and competing for NSIC championships."
 
Anderson, who has led the Grinnell Pioneers since 2018, set the Pioneers softball conference single season win record by going 13-5 in 2019.  She comes to UMD with an impressive softball background.  Prior to taking over the Pioneers, Anderson spent five seasons as an assistant coach at UW-Oshkosh. Working primarily with hitting and outfielders, she helped the Titans to two consecutive NCAA Division III National Softball Tournament appearances and a regional title in 2017. The Titans compiled a 138-63 record during Anderson's tenure and had 14 All-Great Lakes Region, 26 All-Conference and 50 Conference Scholastic Honor Roll selections. 
 
"We are ecstatic to have Lynn Anderson assume the leadership of Bulldog Softball," said UMD Athletic Director Josh Berlo.  "Her progressive coaching career at the Division I and III levels as well as her experience as a student-athlete and team Captain at the University of Wisconsin Badgers make her an exceptional addition to the impressive Head Coaching staff at UMD.  Coach Anderson has been a strong role model for the young women in her programs and we are confident that she will maintain the positive momentum of Bulldog Softball while continuing our tradition of excellence in the classroom, community and competition."
  
Anderson has risen quickly through the coaching ranks and maintains a diverse coaching background.  Previous coaching stops have included instructing at the Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) Summer Camp, a volunteer coaching post at the University of Wisconsin (NCAA Division I) and a graduate assistant coaching job at NCAA Division I Valparaiso University. 
 
"The Bulldog softball program has had tremendous success in recent years and Lynn is the perfect coach to help elevate the team to new heights as they compete for conference and national championships," said UMD Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women's Administrator Karen Stromme.
  
As a student-athlete, Anderson was a true walk-on who went on to letter four years while playing shortstop for the Wisconsin Badgers.  She was named team captain in 2008 and voted the team's Defensive Player of the Year.  She led the Badgers in home runs (nine), total bases (68), slugging percentage (.489) and assists (118) in 2008, along with being ranked second in batting average, on-base percentage, runs scored, hits and RBIs. 
  
Anderson left the Badgers softball program tied for fourth for single-season home runs and fifth in career assists with 311.  Anderson was part of the 2005 Wisconsin squad that made the program's third NCAA Division I National Softball Tournament appearance, and was one of 34 women in the country invited to the USA Baseball Women's National Team Development Program in 2014. 
  
Anderson graduated from UW-Madison in December 2008 with a double major, earning a bachelor's degrees in sociology and a criminal justice certificate. She gained her master's degree in sports administration from Valparaiso in December 2011, graduating with the highest distinction.    
 
Anderson officially starts at UMD on September 22nd.

What they are saying about Coach Anderson:
 
"I'm very excited for Lynn with this opportunity at Duluth!  She is going to bring that program to another level and graduate young women that will be ready to take on the next step in life.  Lynn is a talented, hard working coach that is relentless in recruiting. She is definitely an up and comer to watch in our sport!" - Chris Kuhlmeyer, Head Coach UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) Softball

"Lynn is going to do great things at Duluth. She has great resources and she's a motivated coach to come in and make an impact." - Tracie Adix-Zins, Head Coach DePaul University Softball

"Lynn exemplified the idea that in life you want to leave something better than you found it. During her time at Grinnell she definitely improved our softball program. As a recruiter Lynn did an excellent job of evaluating talent and building relationships with prospects. We needed her to grow our roster and she was successful with the task. Her strengths include her ability to help players with their softball skill building and she's an excellent in-game tactical coach." - Andy Hamilton, Director of Athletics at Grinnell College