Crowell Named Assistant Softball Coach

Syracuse University Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross has appointed Clarisa Crowell assistant softball coach. She joins the SU program after a two-year stint as assistant coach at Ohio University. Crowell will assist Syracuse head softball coach Mary Jo Firnbach in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, gameday preparation and scouting. Crowell will also work directly with the Orange pitching staff.

“Clarisa is a great addition to our program,” Firnbach said. “She brings with her a tremendous amount of experience and great credentials from her playing days at Virginia Tech and as a coach at Ohio University. She is passionate about coaching and her efforts will help us toward our goal of becoming an elite program.”

Crowell was a member of the Ohio University coaching staff in 2004 and 2005. She was responsible for mentoring the Bobcats’ pitchers and infielders, while also assisting with hitting instruction. Crowell helped organize practice sessions, served as the team’s chief scout, recruiting coordinator, and was responsible for team travel logistics.

Prior to her appointment at Ohio, Crowell worked as a volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater, Virginia Tech, from September 2002-May 2003. She assisted the Hokies’ coaching staff with game management and operations, while working with Tech’s pitchers and infielders on their defensive skills. She also assisted in developing practice schedules and activities.

Crowell played four seasons for the Hokies, beginning in 1999. She earned all-conference honors all three years and was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player twice. As a freshman, she was selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team as a utility player/third baseman/pitcher. Crowell was also picked to the league’s all-tournament team and the Virginia All-State Team, in addition to earning her first Team MVP award. The following year, Crowell was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team again, this time as an outfielder, and she became the first player in Virginia state history to be picked to the all-state team at two different positions (pitcher/outfielder). That season Crowell also claimed her second Team MVP honor. As a senior in 2002, Crowell earned her third all-state team selection and was a first-team all-region choice. She was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team and was voted the Hokies’ Best Offensive Player.

Crowell finished her Virginia Tech career as the school’s career leader in winning percentage (.722) and ranks second in career earned run average (1.36), strikeouts (362), wins (65), starts (87), innings pitched (614), appearances (106), complete games (62), and shutouts (26). She is fourth on the Hokies’ career games played list (243) and completed her career with 200 hits, 293 total bases, and 104 runs scored.

While at Virginia Tech, Crowell also competed as a member of the Decatur Twister in the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) in 2001, helping the squad tie for fourth place in Women’s Majors (A) and tie for fifth at the Canada Cup.

Crowell also serves as an instructor at a number of softball clinics and camps. Since 1997, she has worked clinics at Virginia Tech, the University of Maryland, and has served as a member of the instructional staff at Five-Star Softball in College Park, Md.

Crowell earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in psychology in 2002. She received a master’s degree in recreation and sport sciences from Ohio in June 2005.

Syracuse University Athletics

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