Lee Negrelli begins her fifth season as the head coach of the UW-Platteville softball team.
The Pioneers are coming off a tough season, finishing 12-28. However, after losing seven of those games by only one-run, the Pioneers are optimistic and excited to begin the 2016 campaign. “We have a great young class of athletes who are ready to compete,” says Negrelli. The Pioneers look to be led by returning All-WIAC performers Carley Rote and Jess Butzen.
In 2012, Negrelli’s first season as a head coach, she led the Pioneers to 20 wins for the most by a first-year head coach and the most since a 24-21 mark in 2003 by Janet James.
The Pioneer softball team has since returned to the WIAC Tournament twice, including the first time since 2008. While at the 2012 tournament, they recorded the first WIAC Tournament shutout win by the Pioneers since a 2003 blanking of UW-Superior, 9-0.
In addition to her softball duties, she serves as the coordinator of the Pioneer Activity Center.
Negrelli comes to UW-Platteville after spending the last two years at Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C. She coached a two-time All-Conference centerfielder/slapper and second baseman and All-Region right fielder, centerfielder and pitcher. As a member of the Patriots coaching staff in 2010, Francis Marion posted a 36-16 overall record, competed in the conference tournament championship for the first time in program history and the NCAA regional tournament runner up.
In addition to coaching first base, she also worked with the team’s catchers, outfielders and slap hitters. She also directed the community engagement activities and was involved in the creation and development of recruiting materials for the Patriot softball program.
Negrelli was also the Assistant Director of Marketing and Media Relations for Francis Marion University, where she was involved with the launch of the social media initiatives for the athletic department. She also was involved with the multimedia initiatives including the Patriot Minute and YouTube interviews.
Prior to Francis Marion University, she served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. With the Purple Raiders, she coached three all-conference infielders and an all-conference outfielder and catcher. Negrelli also directed the strength and conditioning efforts for the program.
Negrelli has also served as a personal trainer and as a sports nutrition consultant in her career. She is a certified National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer and National Federation of Professional Trainers certified Sports Nutrition specialist.
She is a graduate of the University of Mount Union, where she played on the softball team. While playing for the Purple Raiders, Negrelli earned multiple honors including all-Ohio Athletic Conference recognition for her efforts on the field and in the classroom. She was also named to the all-region team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as a senior, the Dean’s List during four semesters and inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.
