Saint Francis University Women's Softball

Bill Vasko begins his second season as the softball head coach at Saint Francis in 2026-27. Vasko comes to Loretto with more than 30 years of coaching experience. "This program has a strong tradition of excellence, and I'm excited to build on that legacy while helping our student-athletes grow both on and off the field," said Vasko. "Saint Francis is a special place, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead this program into its next chapter. Our focus will be on developing leaders, continuing the championship culture, and competing with pride every time we take the field." Vasko spent the seven seasons as the head coach at Frostburg State. From 2021-24, the Bobcats won 114 games for the best four-year stretch in program history, including 31 wins in 2023 (the second most in program history) and 29 victories in 2022 and 2024 (the fourth most wins in program history). The second-winningest head coach in Frostburg State history, he helped the Bobcats finish tied for first in the Mountain East Conference North Division in 2022 and second in the regular season in 2021 and 2024.  He coached a conference Rookie of the Year, and 17 times a player at Frostburg State was named to the all-conference team (three first-team, 14 second-team). Additionally, he coached a player named to the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-American team. Before joining Frostburg, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach at UMass Lowell and one season at former NEC member Quinnipiac. UMass-Lowell won 21 games and finished with a winning record in 2017, marking the first time in five seasons and the first time as an NCAA Division I program that the team achieved a winning record.  Vasko gained his first head coaching experience at Wheeling Jesuit from 2008 to 11. In his first season, the team won 27 games, the third most since Wheeling Jesuit reinstated the softball program in 2002.  He served as the director of athletics and co-head softball coach at Buckeye Trail High School in Ohio from 2002 to 2008, gaining his first experience coaching a softball team. A 1994 graduate from the Ohio State University, he served as an assistant football coach and baseball coach for the first 10 years of his career: Ohio State (football, 1992-93); Upper Arlington High School (football, 1993-94), Ohio Wesleyan University (football, 1994-95), Kenyon College (football & baseball, 1995-98), Otterbein College (football, 1998), Denison University (football, 1999) and Muskingum University (baseball, 1999-02). Bill and his wife, Maggie, currently reside in Natrona Heights, Pa.

Madison Nugent was named the Head Coach of the Saint Francis University cheerleading and dance teams, as well as mascot coordinator in August 2006. Nugent brings a strong background in coaching, higher education, and student engagement. Prior to being named head coach, she spent nine years coaching at both the high school and all-star levels, where she developed her passion for mentoring student-athletes. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Nugent is a member of the Saint Francis University community, serving as the Administrative Assistant and Event Coordinator for the Shields School of Business. In this role, she collaborates with students, faculty, and alumni while planning events, supporting student initiatives, and strengthening connections across campus. Guided by the University’s Franciscan values, Nugent is passionate about building a program that emphasizes character, service, respect, and a commitment to the whole student-athlete. Her coaching philosophy centers on leadership, personal accountability, teamwork, and continuous growth. She is dedicated to creating an environment that fosters confidence, leadership, and lifelong relationships while challenging student-athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the sidelines. Nugent earned her bachelor’s degree in Sport Management with a minor in Athletic Coaching from Clarion University, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Strategic Leadership at Saint Francis University. She looks forward to leading the Cheer and Dance programs while creating an experience that develops successful student-athletes, confident leaders, and proud ambassadors for the University.

Hailey Sanders joined the Red Flash dance team coaching staff under John Anderson during the 2025-26 academic year. Sanders is a 2024 graduate of Saint Francis University (SFU) with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, as well as a 2021 graduate of Slippery Rock University (SRU) with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise and Rehabilitative Science and a minor in Dance. Sanders was part of the student-run Slippery Rock University Dance Theatre (SRUDT) from 2017-2021, where she performed work from fellow classmates, as well as co-choreographed a duet entitled In the Midst of Our Minds. Sanders has an extensive background in competitive dance and has performed numerous works set by SRU faculty, SRU alumni, and repertoire by Martha Graham. Sanders, an Altoona, PA native, works full-time as a Pelvic & Women’s Health Physical Therapist at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber, as well as casually at Encompass Rehab in Bellefonte and Homewood Nursing Home in Martinsburg. Outside of work and coaching, Sanders enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, hiking, and occasionally substitute teaching at Blair Dance Academy.

Grace Hoffman began her first season under head coach John Anderson in 2022-23. Hoffman is a USA Cheer certified coach and a former Red Flash Cheerleader (2018-2022). Hoffman helped the Red Flash take home two NCA Collegiate National Championship rankings in the Top 10 in both 2019 & 2022 in Daytona, Florida. Hoffman also has a strong background in competitive dance and acro gymnastics.  Hoffman, a Cresson, PA native, graduated from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in 2018. Hoffman is a 2022 graduate of Saint Francis University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Hoffman works full-time as a Registered Nurse, as well coaching Tumbling/Acro at Charlene’s School of Dance.  Hoffman is now pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner degree at Saint Francis, intending to graduate in May 2026. Outside of cheer, Hoffman enjoys weightlifting, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Abby Doerr enters her second season as an assistant coach on Bill Vasko's staff in 2026-27. Known for her steady offensive production and leadership qualities, Doerr played a role in helping Alabama reach the 2021 Women's College World Series. At Oregon State, she demonstrated her versatility by contributing at multiple positions and earned praise for her strong work ethic and team-first mindset. Over three seasons, Doerr made 79 appearances, including 65 starts, for the Crimson Tide. In 2021, she played a role in Alabama's run to the Women's College World Series (WCWS), appearing in the postseason and hitting a pinch-hit, two-run home run during the WCWS against Arizona. In her final season in Tuscaloosa (2022), Abby started 35 games. In her junior season (2023), Doerr led the Beavers in home runs (11) and RBI (30). She appeared in 42 games (all starts), and played multiple positions, including catcher, third base, first base, and designated player. In her senior season (2024), Doerr appeared in 49 of 50 games (48 starts). Defensively, she demonstrated exceptional consistency: committing only two errors in 255 chances. She earned recognition off the field, earning a spot on the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll. Beyond her individual performance, Doerr also became part of a unique chapter in OSU history, playing alongside her younger sister Paige in the 2023–24 seasons — one of only a few sister duos in Division I softball to record a hit in the same game in 2024. Beyond the field, Doerr is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.