Kate Madden

Kate Madden started her softball career in her hometown of Aurora, Colorado. As a standout at Smoky Hill High School, she earned a full scholarship to Southwest Missouri State University where she pitched and hit her way to becoming the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in her Senior season. That same year, she was named the MVC Tournament MVP after leading the Lady Bears to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 13 seasons.

After graduating, Kate joined the Durham Dragons in the inaugural season of the Womens Professional Fastpitch Softball League, pitching, playing infield and batting leadoff for the North Carolina team. She finished second in the race for the batting title with a .343 average as the team’s leadoff hitter and also played in the infield. An injury cut short her professional career after that season.

In 1998, she became the first full-time assistant softball coach at Georgia Tech University. After just one season as an assistant, Kate was named Head Coach. In 2002, her Lady Jackets compiled a 52 18 record, earning her the Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year award.

In 2007, Kate was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team.