Hutchins Honored with U-M President's Medal of Excellence Award
6/12/2024 1:36:00 PM | General, Softball, Athletic News
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Former softball head coach Carol Hutchins has been named one of four inaugural recipients of the University of Michigan's President's Medal of Excellence, the university announced today (Wednesday, June 12).
The award, presented by President Santa J. Ono, honors individuals for their significant contributions to the mission, purposes, and ideals of the university. Honorees may include faculty, staff, alumni or other individuals who support the university in various settings either internal or external to the university, for either academic or non-academic achievements.
Hutchins was honored, alongside fellow inaugural recipients Earl Lewis, Stephen M. Ross and Debbie Stabenow, at a private luncheon on June 11 with university leadership and other special guests at the President's Residence.
Hutchins served 38 seasons at the helm of the University of Michigan softball program (1985-2002) and retired as the winningest coach in NCAA softball history with a career record of 1,707-555-5 (.755). Hutchins is also the winningest coach -- male or female -- in Michigan Athletics history.
"Hutch" led Michigan to the NCAA Women's College World Series 12 times, and, in 2005, the Wolverines became the first program east of the Mississippi River to claim the NCAA national championship when they defeated UCLA in the championship series. Hutchins' squads also captured 22 Big Ten regular-season titles, 10 Big Ten Tournament championships and qualified for the NCAA Tournament 29 times (1992-93, '95-2022).
Inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006, Hutchins earned 18 Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year honors, eight NFCA Regional Coach of the Year awards and a pair of NFCA National Coach of the Year honors. In 2016, she was named the inaugural recipient of espnW's Pat Summitt Coaching Award, presented to the coach who "exemplifies the character and courage" of the late legendary basketball coach who led the Tennessee Lady Vols.
The Wolverines received 69 total All-America citations under Hutchins, including 23 first-team nods, while 14 earned Academic All-America accolades. Michigan players claimed 20 Big Ten Player of the Year awards, 16 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year awards, and 13 Big Ten Freshman of the Year awards during her coaching tenure. Wolverine players also accumulated 202 Academic All-Big Ten awards, 212 All-Big Ten citations and 154 All-Mideast or All-Great Lakes Region certificates.
