Judy Groff
	Title	Head Softball Coach
	E-Mail	judith.groff@aic.edu
	Phone	(413) 205-3919

A true legend in the ranks of Division II college softball, head coach Judy Groff is entering her 40th season at the helm of one of the nation's top programs in 2008. Since starting the program in 1969, Groff has amassed an impressive 883-536-5 (.622) career record, and she is one of just five coaches to amass 850 career wins in NCAA Division II history.

In December, 2006, Groff received college softball's ultimate honor when it was announced she will be inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame in November, 2007.  She also had another honor rarely bestowed upon an active coach given to her in April, 2006 when American International College renamed the school's softball field the "Coach Judy Groff Softball Field". 

Coach Groff is the only coach to ever direct the softball program at AIC and throughout her tenure she has compiled some impressive numbers. She has posted 30 winning seasons, including 20 of the last 24, and has guided her teams to the NCAA Regional Tournament 14 times in the last 23 seasons. Five of the eight years her teams did not qualify for the Regional, they went on to participate in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament, which the Yellow Jackets won three times (1986, 1988, 1991).

Groff’s teams have won at least 30 games each season except five times, averaging over 32 wins per year since 1984. AIC has won eight Northeast-10 regular season titles and three Northeast-10 Tournaments.

Groff earned her 800th career win in 2003 on her home field as the Yellow Jacket captured a 3-2 victory over Le Moyne College on April 23. She recorded her 700th career victory in 2000 as the Yellow Jackets posted a 5-2 win over Bryant College in nine innings. In 1999, she coached her 1,000th career game, against Saint Leo University, at the Columbus State Invitational on March 19 and also was inducted into the National Association of Girl's and Women's Sports Hall of Fame.

Groff has served on the NCAA Regional Comittee for 18 seasons and is also on the NFCA Nominating Committee.

Coach Groff was recognized by the National Softball Coaches Association (NSCA) when she was honored at the 1994 National Coaches Convention for winning her 500th game on April 9, 1994. She picked up the Easton Victory Club Award, recognizing her 600th career win at St. Michael’s College on April 12, 1997. Groff is an eight-time NE-10 Coach of the Year and has garnered the Northeast Regional Coach of the Year award four times. She was inducted into the Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame in the fall of 2003.

Groff earned a Bachelor’s Degree in physical education at West Chester University and later earned her master’s in Education along with an Advanced Certificate from Springfield College. In addition to her coaching duties, Groff is the assistant director of athletics at the College and is the senior women’s administrator. From 1974-88, she also compiled a 274-171 (.609) record as the head coach of the women’s volleyball program at AIC, which she started on her own.