June 13, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced Lubbock Christian (Texas) head coach Shanon Hays was named the 2008 NAIA Softball Coach of the Year after guiding the Lady Chaparrals to their first national title in their inaugural season.

The award is voted on by the NAIA's softball coaches, and eligible award-winners include region coaches of the year and head coaches of quarterfinalists at the NAIA Championship Tournament.

Hays, in his first year coaching collegiate softball, guided Lubbock Christian to a 60-10 overall record.  The Lady Chaps open their inaugural season with five straight wins including a no-hitter in the program's first official game.  They also recorded a 24-game win streak during the season from Feb. 29 - Mar. 19 and claimed the 2008 NAIA Region VI Tournament title.

After dropping to the loser's bracket in the quarterfinals of the double elimination bracket at the National Championship Tournament, LCU won three games on the final day to capture the title.   The Lady Chaparrals became the third team in NAIA softball history to come out of the loser's bracket to win the championship.