AVE MARIA, Fla.- Ave Maria University is pleased to announce the hiring of Juliaclare Plezbert as the new head coach of the Gyrene softball program. Plezbert brings nearly a decade of softball experience to Southwest Florida, as both a player and a coach.
University Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Patterson said Plezbert's enthusiasm for the game of softball shined through during the interview process, making her the ideal candidate.
"Coach Plezbert's passion and energy impressed everyone during her visit to campus," Patterson said. "She brings great personal playing experience to the position, and she is a proven fundraiser. We are confident she will continue the momentum that began this past season."
"I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to lead the AMU softball program," Plezbert added. "I am excited to join a dedicated athletics staff and pursue the mission of Ave Maria University to do God's work."
Plezbert comes to the University following four years as the head coach at Goshen College in Indiana, a member of the Crossroads League. Plezbert's teams won double digit conference games in each of her three full seasons—excluding the Covid-shortened 2020 season—and set numerous school records during her tenure.
Her first head coaching job came at Ancilla College in Indiana, where she was tasked with re-starting the program in 2018. She began her coaching career as an assistant at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, where she served from 2015 to 2018. Oklahoma Wesleyan made two national tournament appearances during her tenure. In 2018, the Oklahoma Wesleyan coaches were named Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
As a player, Plezbert suited up at another NAIA school, Indiana Tech, from 2012 to 2015. She was a three-time Academic All-Conference selection in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, and was a nominee for the A.O. Duer award, which recognizes outstanding junior student-athletes in the NAIA.
Plezbert said she plans to take the Ave Maria softball program to new heights coming off a breakthrough 2021 season, all while producing exemplary young women.
"My mission is to mentor and lead young women into strong, independent, God-loving women who will be leaders after they graduate from AMU while making the softball team a powerful force year-in and year-out," she said.
Plezbert's first act as head coach was to retain the services of assistant coach Wes Pollock. Pollock, who joined the Ave Maria staff prior to the 2022 season, will remain at Ave Maria as Plezbert's recruiting coordinator and top assistant.
AMU concluded the 2022 season with their first postseason berth since 2017, and a bright future ahead with six starters being either freshmen or sophomores.
