Trine University Women's Softball

Danklefsen has led the Thunder from their first season in NCAA Division III.  His teams have appeared in the NCAA Regionals nine teams, capturing two Regional titles and one Super-Regional championship. The 2014 campaign saw the team reach the National Championships for the first time in school-history. Along the way, he has led Trine to a 377-135 record, a stout winning-percentage of .736. The Thunder have become a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament under Danklefsen, having reached the Regional round every season since 2008. The team has hosted an NCAA Regional three times, winning their own Regional in 2014 and 2016. Danklefsen led the Thunder to their first Super-Regional appearance in 2014, where the Thunder swept Emory to advance to the National Championships. Under Danklefsen, Trine has captured MIAA regular-season titles in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Danklefsen has led the Thunder to the MIAA Tournament crown six times, including four in the past five seasons. During the 2014 season, Trine set the all-time MIAA mark for most-consecutive wins with 46- a streak that eventually reached 49 games. Danklefsen has coached Thunder players to numerous individual honors, including six appearances on All-America teams. Carly Searles earned three All-America honors and set three NCAA records during her time at Trine, while Andi Gasco joined Searles as the program's first All-Americans in 2013. Searles and Bree Fuller went on to earn Academic All-America honors as well, with Fuller earning the distinction twice. Kaylee Fox became the first Thunder freshman to earn All-America honors in 2015. Kendra Marshall became the team's most recent All-American in 2016. The Thunder have produced four MIAA Players of the Year under Danklefsen- Rainbow Bednarski (2007), Andi Gasco (2012), Sarah Belote, (2013) and Carly Searles (2015). Danklefsen has also coached five MIAA Pitchers of the Year- Elise English (2008), Andi Gasco (2012, 2013), Bree Fuller (2014) and Justine Robles (2015). In 11 seasons as a member of the MIAA, Danklefsen's teams have produced 29 First-Team All-MIAA selections and 28 Second-Team All-MIAA selections. Danklefsen's players hold every major batting and pitching record in school-history. Danklefsen's players also hold several national records. During the 2015 season, Searles became NCAA Division IIIs all-time leader in hits, triples and runs scored. Belote holds the national records for most home runs, RBIs and total bases in a game. Three Thunder players have tied the national record with two home runs in an inning. Danklefsen graduated from Trine (then Tri-State) in 2003 with a degree in Sport Management. While at Tri-State, Danklefsen was an emotional leader for the Thunder basketball team and was named a team captain during the 2002-03 season. Danklefsen promotes a program that values team chemistry, dedication, and putting team goals above oneself to achieve the highest level of success.

Smith joined the Thunder in 2010. He will work with pitchers and catchers. He spent the past 10 years in the same position at NCAA Division I, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Under Smith, Trine pitchers have won the last four MIAA Pitcher of the Year honors. Smith coached Andi Gasco to back-to-back conference pitcher of the year honors in 2012-13 as well as an All-American selection in 2013. Bree Fuller (2014) and Justine Robles (2015) continued the streak of conference pitching MVPs under Smith's guidance. Smith has coached nine all-conference performers since 2010, including eight first-team appearances. Coach Smith was an assistant coach for IPFW during its transition period from Division II to Division I. In 2009, his pitching staff had an accumulated ERA of 2.63. The 2008 squad played in the conference championship game. Smith was also responsible for recruiting his pitchers on a national and international level. As a player, Smith played fast-pitch in Iowa from 1980-1998, including a number of state and regional tournaments in that span. Coach Smith is also employed at Courier Kendallville.