Jennifer Brundage Named U-M Softball Assistant Coach
9/8/1998 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Collegiate, national and international softball standout Jennifer L. Brundage has joined the University of Michigan softball coaching staff, it was announced today (Sept. 8) by U-M athletic director Tom Goss and Wolverine softball head coach Carol Hutchins.
Brundage replaces Kelly Kovach, who joined the softball coaching staff at Penn State University. Brundage will work with the Michigan pitching staff in addition to general team duties, according to Hutchins.
Brundage comes to U-M following stints as an assistant coach at UCLA (1997-98) and Tennessee-Chattanooga (1996-97), and as an instructor with the Ron Lefebvre School of Baseball/Softball (1997-98). She has served as a clinician and speaker at clinics and tournaments across the country for several years.
"Jennifer brings a lot of softball knowledge and skill to the coaching staff and the Michigan program," said Hutchins. "Her playing experience at UCLA and with U.S.A. Softball is impressive, and her leadership off the field is quality."
Brundage played collegiately at UCLA (1992-95), helping the Bruins to four NCAA Women's College World Series appearances, including the 1992 national championship and the 1993 national runner-up finish. A two-time NFCA All-America First-Team honoree at third base, Brundage was honored as the 1995 Honda Award winner in the sport of softball. She led NCAA Division I in batting average (.518) as a senior. Brundage graduated the UCLA program holding the Bruins' career home runs, RBI and doubles records, and was second on the career batting average list.
A two-time GTE Academic All-America First-Team award winner and a communications degree holder, Brundage was the 1995 GTE Softball Academic All-American of the Year. She was recipient of a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and the UCLA Athletics Senior Scholarship award (1995).
Brundage played on the U.S.A. Softball National team which won the gold medal at the 1998 South Pacific Classic in New Zealand. She has participated in four U.S.A. Softball Festivals and was chosen as an alternate to the 1996 U.S. Olympic team. Brundage has played in five ASA Women's Major National Tournaments, finishing as a national champion team member all five years (1993, '94, '95, '96, '97). She is a three-time ASA Women's Major All-American, winning twice as a third baseman and once as an outfielder.
