Groff to be Inducted into NFCA Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -American International College head softball coach Judy Groff will be inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association College Softball Hall of Fame this weekend. The induction ceremony will be held Friday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. at the NFCA convention in Las Vegas. Also being inducted are Henry Christowski of Simpson College (Iowa) and George Wares of Central College (Iowa).

A true legend in the ranks of Division II college softball, Groff recently wrapped up her 39th season at the helm of one of the nation's top programs in 2007. Since starting the program in 1969, Groff has amassed an impressive 883-536-5 (.622) career record and is one of just six coaches to amass 850 career wins in NCAA Division II history.

In terms of where she ranks among her peers, Groff is fifth on the active Division II wins list, sixth on the all-time Division II wins list and ranks 23rd on the NCAA career victories list - which includes all Division I, II and III coaches.

She also had another honor rarely bestowed upon an active coach given to her in April, 2006 when AIC renamed the school's softball field the "Coach Judy Groff Softball Field".  In 1999, Groff was inducted into the National Association of Girl's and Women's Sports Hall of Fame.

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 in 34 of the programs 39 seasons, 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 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.

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

Groff also serves as an assistant director of athletics at the College and is the department's senior woman 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 also founded.