Aug. 4, 2006

CANTON, Mo. - Culver-Stockton College (Mo.) athletic director Rod Walton is hoping a proven winner can continue moving the Culver-Stockton softball program toward the national spotlight.

Michelle Krassinger, the former head coach at Okaloosa-Walton College in Niceville, Fla., has been named the Lady Wildcats' head coach. She replaces Gretta Melsted, who left Culver-Stockton last month to become head coach at Augustana (S.D.) College.

Krassinger, a native of St. Louis, and who starred as a player at NAIA powerhouse William Woods University in Fulton, Mo., has compiled a 529-289 overall coaching record in 15 years as a collegiate head coach at three different institutions.

The chance to move closer to home was a big selling point for Krassinger in taking the C-SC job.

"I am extremely happy to become part of the Culver-Stockton program," said Krassinger. "This is an opportunity to return to my roots with the NAIA and the Midwest."

Krassinger recorded a 356-188 record in nine seasons at Okaloosa-Walton College, winning two Panhandle Conference championships and leading the Raiders to six regional tournament appearances. She coached four National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Americans and 41 Panhandle All-Conference players, including one player of the year.

That success played a major factor in her hiring.

"Her career record and the success she has had at the collegiate level was key in her selection," said Walton. " Michelle has led winning programs everywhere she has been throughout her career and that was something we could not ignore."

Prior to Okaloosa-Walton, Krassinger coached at Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College from 1994-97, recording a 96-67 mark, and at Lindenwood (Mo.) University from 1992-94, compiling a 77-34 record and capturing one Show-Me Collegiate Conference championship.

Krassinger's players have also performed well in the classroom as 69 of her players have been named to their respective conference all-academic teams in her three stops.

Krassinger is also involved off the field, having served on several committees with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), and served as NJCAA Coaches Association President from 2001-05.

Krassinger holds bachelor degrees in elementary education and special education from William Woods University and a master's degree in health and physical education from the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

In 2006, Culver-Stockton finished 23-30 overall and placed third in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) with a 13-7 league record. The Lady Wildcats also advanced to the regional tournament for the seventh time in the last 10 years. C-SC graduated just one senior from that team and 12 players are expected to return in 2007. Eight recruits have also committed to join the softball program this fall.

Krassinger can't wait to get started and expects big things out of the softball program in the near future.

"I expect to build on the success of the current program," Kassinger said. "I am excited and looking forward to working with the returning players and integrating the newcomers into the system. Reaching the NAIA World Series is a definite goal.