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Softball Announces Wally King as Assistant Coach
11/14/2024 12:00:00 PM | Softball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown softball head coach Mary Holt-Kelsch has announced the hiring of Wally King as an assistant coach. King joins Brown having most recently served as the assistant coach at Madonna University.
King spent two seasons in charge of hitting and infield at Madonna and helped lead the school to a 54-6 record in 2023-24 and a spot in the NAIA World Series. Under King's guidance, Madonna was nationally ranked in the top-10 in 10 different offensive categories, finishing second in both triples and runs scored and third in RBI and walks.
"I am thrilled to have Coach King join our staff at Brown, he will make an immediate impact on our program. He brings a wealth of knowledge paired with a relentless work ethic that will allow our players to thrive," said Holt-Kelsch. "Player development is a major part of the culture here with Brown Softball and I know Coach King will thrive in that environment. I am excited to have someone of his caliber on the field with us every day."
"I could not be more excited for this opportunity," said King. "Brown is a place where you get the best of what it means to be a student-athlete. To work with student-athletes that want to excel both academically and athletically is what drew me to this new challenge. I have to thank both Coach Holt-Kelsch and [Senior Associate AD] Colleen Kelly for giving me this opportunity to help grow Brown softball."
Prior to Madonna, King served as the head coach at Furman University. In 2018, King led the Paladins to a 41-15 record which was the second highest total in school history and the most by a Furman team since 1988.
King, who spent the 2017 season as an assistant coach at the University of South Florida helped lead the Bulls to a 32-24 overall record and 9-8 mark in the American Athletic Conference after serving as head coach at Division II Ferris State (Mich.) the previous year. During his tenure with Ferris State, King guided the Bulldogs to a 36-18 mark and the school's first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) tournament appearance in three years. Ferris State's 36 wins in King's lone season in charge represented a 20-win improvement from 2015. Only four programs in the nation boasted a 20+ win increase, putting the program in elite company.
King was the associate head softball coach at Syracuse University from 2008-13, helping to guide the Orange to four straight 30-win seasons and consecutive Big East Conference Championship bids. Syracuse made its deepest postseason run ever in 2012 as the Orange advanced to the NCAA Regional finals and defeated its highest nationally-ranked opponent ever with a 1-0 victory against second-ranked Arizona State in the NCAA Tournament. SU finished the year listed among the nation's top 25-ranked teams for the first time.
A National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) member and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) member, King began his coaching career on the collegiate level at Grand Rapids Community College as the assistant softball coach and head recruiter. During his three seasons with GRCC, King helped develop the program into a national title contender with back-to-back World Series appearances.
King also brings an extensive playing background with two of the world's top five teams in a fastpitch softball career that spanned from 1985-2003. He was a first-team All-American, as well as state and national tournament MVP in 1997.
A former prep standout at Forest Hills Central High School, King played collegiate baseball for Hope College from 1985-88 where he earned bachelor's degrees in both sociology and psychology. He later earned his master's degree in social work from Grand Valley State University in 1994.
King also owns and operates King Training, a nation-wide training program to help develop softball athletes.
King has been married to his wife, Sue King, for 33 years and they have 4 children. Alyssa (30), Alyson (28), Arinn (24), and Austin (20).
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.
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For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
King spent two seasons in charge of hitting and infield at Madonna and helped lead the school to a 54-6 record in 2023-24 and a spot in the NAIA World Series. Under King's guidance, Madonna was nationally ranked in the top-10 in 10 different offensive categories, finishing second in both triples and runs scored and third in RBI and walks.
"I am thrilled to have Coach King join our staff at Brown, he will make an immediate impact on our program. He brings a wealth of knowledge paired with a relentless work ethic that will allow our players to thrive," said Holt-Kelsch. "Player development is a major part of the culture here with Brown Softball and I know Coach King will thrive in that environment. I am excited to have someone of his caliber on the field with us every day."
"I could not be more excited for this opportunity," said King. "Brown is a place where you get the best of what it means to be a student-athlete. To work with student-athletes that want to excel both academically and athletically is what drew me to this new challenge. I have to thank both Coach Holt-Kelsch and [Senior Associate AD] Colleen Kelly for giving me this opportunity to help grow Brown softball."
Prior to Madonna, King served as the head coach at Furman University. In 2018, King led the Paladins to a 41-15 record which was the second highest total in school history and the most by a Furman team since 1988.
King, who spent the 2017 season as an assistant coach at the University of South Florida helped lead the Bulls to a 32-24 overall record and 9-8 mark in the American Athletic Conference after serving as head coach at Division II Ferris State (Mich.) the previous year. During his tenure with Ferris State, King guided the Bulldogs to a 36-18 mark and the school's first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) tournament appearance in three years. Ferris State's 36 wins in King's lone season in charge represented a 20-win improvement from 2015. Only four programs in the nation boasted a 20+ win increase, putting the program in elite company.
King was the associate head softball coach at Syracuse University from 2008-13, helping to guide the Orange to four straight 30-win seasons and consecutive Big East Conference Championship bids. Syracuse made its deepest postseason run ever in 2012 as the Orange advanced to the NCAA Regional finals and defeated its highest nationally-ranked opponent ever with a 1-0 victory against second-ranked Arizona State in the NCAA Tournament. SU finished the year listed among the nation's top 25-ranked teams for the first time.
A National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) member and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) member, King began his coaching career on the collegiate level at Grand Rapids Community College as the assistant softball coach and head recruiter. During his three seasons with GRCC, King helped develop the program into a national title contender with back-to-back World Series appearances.
King also brings an extensive playing background with two of the world's top five teams in a fastpitch softball career that spanned from 1985-2003. He was a first-team All-American, as well as state and national tournament MVP in 1997.
A former prep standout at Forest Hills Central High School, King played collegiate baseball for Hope College from 1985-88 where he earned bachelor's degrees in both sociology and psychology. He later earned his master's degree in social work from Grand Valley State University in 1994.
King also owns and operates King Training, a nation-wide training program to help develop softball athletes.
King has been married to his wife, Sue King, for 33 years and they have 4 children. Alyssa (30), Alyson (28), Arinn (24), and Austin (20).
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
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