By: Mat Kanan, Western Michigan University – Director of Athletic Media Relations
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Former Western Michigan University student-athlete Marie Foster returns to her alma mater as assistant coach of the Bronco softball program.
“Marie knows this program and she knows my coaching philosophy,” said WMU head coach Kathy Leitke. “Having an alumna with a strong and stable love for the game will be great for our program. Her variety of experience at the junior college, NAIA and Division II levels will be a strength when working with different players within this program.”
Foster is returning to WMU after previously coaching at Iowa Central Community College as assistant coach, Dakota Wesleyan University as head coach, where she coached the team to numerous school records, and most recently at Ferris State.
“I think it’ll be a smooth transition since I already know the coach and pride of the program here at Western Michigan,” said Foster.
Foster’s collegiate softball career began at Lansing Community College where she led the team to the NJCAA National Tournament in 2000, finishing in second place. She then continued her softball career at WMU where she was a two-time team Coaches Award recipient and also earned All-Tournament Team accolades in 2003 during the Broncos’ Mid-American Conference (MAC) title run.
Not only was Foster a member of the 2003 MAC Tournament championship team but she also served as an intern on the 2006 squad that advanced to the MAC title game,
falling to Kent State, 2-1.
The 2003 WMU graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in business/marketing as well as a master’s degree in sport management.
“I’m thankful the coaching staff and athletic department are giving me the opportunity to come back to Western,” said Foster, when expressing her excitement to be back in Kalamazoo.
