Curran to Head UB Division I Softball Program

By Paul Vecchio

Release Date: May 10, 1999 This content is archived.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo has named Marie Curran head coach of its first Division I softball program.

Curran has served as an assistant coach at the Mid-American Conference's Northern Illinois University since 1997 and at Creighton University, a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, from 1995-97.

She will take over a UB softball program that has operated at the club level since the late 1980s. The program is expected to play a non-conference Division I schedule in the spring of 2000 and will become an official member of the Mid-American Conference in the 2000-2001 academic year. The MAC mandates six sports: football, volleyball, baseball, softball, and men's and women's basketball

UB Athletics Director Bob Arkeilpane said Curran is the perfect fit for the position.

"Marie has an outstanding background and qualifications," Arkeilpane noted. "Her enthusiasm and familiarity with the MAC was exactly what we were looking for in a head coach. I feel that she is the kind of coach recruits will love to play for."

Curran noted, "Getting the program started will be a tough but exciting challenge for me.

"One advantage that I have is that I became an assistant at NIU in the school's first year in the MAC, so I have experienced some of the challenges a program must go through in its first year in a new conference. My philosophy is 'fundamentals first.' If we can become a fundamentally sound team at UB, I am confident that we will be competitive in the MAC."

A native of Chester, N.Y., Curran began her coaching career at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., in 1995 where she assisted in all aspects of on-field coaching, as well as recruiting and academic coordination. She also served as the camp and clinic director.

At Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Curran was instrumental in helping the Huskie players

develop in the hitting department while spending the majority of her time working with the outfielders and catchers. She also served as the Huskies recruiting coordinator and academic coordinator, as well as director for camps and clinics.

Curran's coaching efforts helped guide the Huskies to a 33-16-1 overall and 21-6-1 MAC record for second place in the league's West Division in 1998. The Huskies are currently in first place in the MAC for the 1999 season with a 28-17 overall and 18-4 league mark. Curran will conclude her duties with the Huskies at the end of this season.

Curran received her bachelor's degree in exercise science in 1993 from Trenton (N.J.) State College. She was a four-year letter-winner at Trenton State in 1988-93 under legendary softball coach Dr. June Walker. She was a three-year starter at catcher for the Lions and helped guide the team to NCAA Division III National Championships in 1989 and 1992.

In 1993, Curran was named a First Team National Softball Coaches Association All-American and was named Player of the Year for the New Jersey Athletic Conference, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. She was also named to the Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team and the Mid Atlantic Region All-Tournament Team while at Trenton State. Following graduation, Curran was invited to attend the Amateur Softball Association/USA Olympic trials Levels I & II in 1994.

Curran is working toward a master's degree in education from Northern Illinois.

Softball was played at UB until the 1985-86 season and had some outstanding successes in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) circuit, including a 19-9 effort during the 1985 season accompanied by an appearance in the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament.