Bradley Softball Program Faces Sudden Coaching Change

Weeks distant from nan commencement of nan 2026 NCAA Division I season, Bradley Softball will request to accommodate to an unforeseen displacement successful its leadership.

Following 3 years astatine nan helm, nan 11th caput coach successful programme history, Sarah Willis, has decided to resign from coaching owed to individual reasons, announced by nan assemblage connected Wednesday. 

"This has been an incredibly difficult decision, arsenic my clip astatine Bradley has been profoundly meaningful some personally and professionally,” Willis said successful a press release.  “After observant reflection, I person chosen to measurement distant from coaching owed to family needs that require my attraction and beingness astatine home. Although this modulation is nan correct determination for my family astatine this time, it successful nary measurement lessens really overmuch I person weighted my acquisition here.

“I americium incredibly grateful for nan opportunity to lead this program, activity alongside dedicated colleagues, and coach a singular group of student-athletes. Watching them grow, compete, and correspond Bradley pinch pridefulness has been a awesome privilege.

“Thank you for nan trust, support, and collaboration passim my tenure. Bradley University and nan softball programme will ever clasp a typical spot successful my heart, and I will proceed to cheer connected nan Braves successful nan years ahead."

Since her prosecute successful June of 2022, Willis collected an wide grounds of 69-97 (0.415) and 35-46 (.432) successful nan Missouri Valley Conference.

Prior to her clip successful Peoria, Ill., Willis diversified her coaching resume, having led Bowling Green for 7 seasons (2016-22) and worked arsenic an adjunct astatine Dayton (2014-15), Southeast Missouri State (2012-14), Princeton (2010-12), and Texas Tech (2008). She besides spent nan 2012 summertime pinch nan North Carolina Diamonds, a erstwhile master women’s fastpitch club. 

Willis (formerly Sarah Losleben) was a standout successful nan circle for the Texas Tech Red Raiders during her collegiate profession (2005-08). She still lines nan grounds books successful various pitching categories to this day. 

Willis's absence comes abruptly for nan Braves, but nan Bradley Athletic Department feels nan squad is successful bully hands moving guardant pinch Interim Head Coach Lauren Gambone. Gamebone brings firsthand familiarity pinch Willis’ coaching style, arsenic she has now worked alongside Willis for a full of 5 seasons, 3 campaigns astatine Bowling Green and nan past 2 astatine Bradley. 

"While Sarah's resignation came arsenic a surprise, we are supportive of her determination to measurement down arsenic Head Coach of Bradley Softball to attraction connected important family needs," Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Chris Reynolds said successful a press release. "We admit Sarah's contributions to nan programme and wish her and her family nan very best.

"We person afloat assurance successful Lauren's expertise to lead nan programme during nan 2026 play and supply stableness and support for our student-athletes.”

Gambone will beryllium joined by David Dews arsenic her assistant. The Braves footwear disconnected nan play astatine nan War Eagle Classic hosted by Auburn astatine Jane B. Moore Field from Feb. 12-15. 

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