Melinda Fischer, head softball coach and the winningest coach in ISU history, has been inducted into the College of Applied Science and Technology Hall of Fame. Fischer ’72, M.S. ’75, was a student-athlete who helped the Redbirds to the 1969 Women’s College World Series.
Fischer, who is also in ISU’s Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame, began coaching at ISU in 1974 as a graduate assistant. She has led the softball program since 1986, earning nine NCAA Regional appearances and 10 regular season Missouri Valley Conference titles. She has two Gateway Conference regular season championships to her credit and four MVC Tournament titles.
Only 18 head coaches in NCAA Division I softball have won 1,000 games in their coaching career. Fischer can claim such an honor with 1,020. Beyond leading total wins as an ISU coach, she is the MVC All-Centennial Head Softball Coach. She has a combined nine MVC and Gateway regular season championships and is included in the NFCA Hall of Fame.
Fischer continues to utilize her softball knowledge, not only as a coach and administrator, but also as a teacher. She shares her skill through camps and clinics, while continuing to mold Illinois State into a national contender.
