Friday, October 08, 1999

Johnson City, Tenn. -- The East Tennessee State Athletic Department today announced that it would be adding Softball as the school's 17th intercollegiate sport. The program's first season will be in the spring of 2001. A search for a Head Coach has already begun and it is anticipated that the position will be filled by Feb. 1.

"We are excited about the addition of softball to the athletics program at ETSU," said Athletics Director Frank Pergolizzi. "Softball is a strong high school sport in Northeast Tennessee and we believe we will be able to build a successful program based upon regional athletes."

Softball joins women's soccer as intercollegiate sports that have been added at ETSU in the last four years. The softball team will play at a new on-campus field that is being built across from the baseball field at the corner of Ashley Road and Greenwood. The field is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2001 season.