April 10, 2001

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago Head Softball Coach Mike McGovern announced this afternoon his plans to retire from coaching at the conclusion of the 2001 season. He will continue to be a part of the university as an assistant professor in the kinesiology department.

"First, I'd like to thank the administration for all of their support," stated McGovern. "Secondly, I would like to give credit to all of the great assistant coaches I've had for all of their hard work and contribution. I hope that all the pupils surpass the teacher. Finally, to so many players who taught me more than I could ever teach them, thank you. Thank you for the memories that I will be able to recall during my `flashbacks'. You all helped build something special, but the best is yet to come for UIC."

The veteran mentor, who is now in his 12th season at the helm of the softball program, has been a coach and tenured professor within the UIC Athletic Department since 1965, where he first started as an assistant coach for the UIC football team. McGovern's duties within the university have also included a stint as men's volleyball head coach.

"The University of Illinois at Chicago Athletics program will forever be indebted to Mike McGovern for his years of service," commented UIC Director of Athletics Jim Schmidt. "He built the softball program from scratch to a prominent national level. His work ethic, recruiting skills and love for the game sets him apart from the many that have coached at the Division I level."

Since McGovern took over as head softball coach in 1990, the Flames have become synonymous with success. In just over a decade, he has almost single handedly built the team into one of the most respected programs not only in the Midwest, but also in the country.

The Flames, who compiled a 173-211-1 record in the 10 years prior to McGovern, have run off 565 victories and a .719 winning percentage since he took the reigns of the team, making him the NCAA's 23rd all-time and seventh active winningest softball coach.

McGovern's teams have claimed seven conference titles during his tenure, including the last five Midwestern Collegiate Conference crowns. They have appeared in five NCAA Regional Championships, tied the NCAA record for wins in a season with 67 in 1999, and in 1994, in just his fifth year as head coach, advanced all the way to the College World Series.

"On the first day of practice my freshman year Coach McGovern walked in and said `Four years from now we will be in the College World Series'," remarked former Flame player and current assistant coach Sarah O'Malley-Fisher. "Four years later we were in the World Series and that is what sets Coach apart from other people. He sets high standards for himself and his players, and it's his love and enthusiasm for the game that has developed our tradition at UIC. It has been an honor and a privilege for me to have played and coached with him."

Adopting a business-like approach, McGovern, who was named the 1999 MCC Coach of the Year, had a plan on how to build his softball team. He recruited the best talent in the country, not only the best student-athletes from the Midwest, but California as well. With his mix of players, he has been able to produce UIC's first-ever Division I All-American - Samantha Iuli - 12 All-Great Lakes Region athletes, 24 first-team all-conference honorees and the last three MCC Player's and Pitcher's of the Year.

"He has given many athletes the chance to be successful and has taught those athletes lessons in life at the same time," cited Schmidt. "The passion he displayed will be missed, but he has truly earned his chance at a new life. We wish him all the best and hope to carry on his legacy and vision for the UIC softball program."

UIC will honor its coach by making Sunday, April 29, "Mike McGovern Day" as the Flames' battle MCC rival Butler in a league doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. at Flames Field.

McGovern's crew (28-18) will be back on the field tomorrow afternoon (April 11) as they host Northwestern for a twilight doubleheader at Flames Field with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 p.m.