Suess Resigns As Head Softball Coach

After nine winning seasons at UW-Oshkosh, Cindy Suess announced her resignation Wednesday (July 17) as the school's head softball coach. She accepted a position teaching physical education and coaching softball at Oshkosh North High School.

Suess, who began her tenure at UW-Oshkosh in 2005, totaled a coaching record of 229-140-1 (.620 winning percentage). She was named WIAC Coach of the Year in 2007 and again this past season. Her victory total ranks eighth in WIAC history.

"I would like to thank the players and my coaching staff, past and present, for their hard work and dedication to our softball program," Suess said. "It was a pleasure coaching so many talented players during my time at UW-Oshkosh."

UW-Oshkosh finished in the top-three of the WIAC six times under Suess, including a league title in 2007. That year, she guided the Titans to a 36-11 record and a postseason berth in the NCAA Division III Championship.

In 2008, UW-Oshkosh went 32-11 and reached the regional championship game – one victory away from the NCAA Division III World Series. The Titans finished second in the WIAC during 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Suess led UW-Oshkosh to a 25-11 record and a third-place finish (11-5) in the WIAC last season.

"Cindy established her place in the history of our softball program, and I would like to thank her for her outstanding service to UW-Oshkosh," said Director of Athletics Darryl Sims. "She gave her heart and soul to her student-athletes, the softball program and UW-Oshkosh athletics these past nine years. Her hard work and dedication will be missed."

Suess coached a pair of All-Americans in pitcher Ronessa Stampfli and outfielder Whitney Tornow. Stampfli received WIAC Pitcher of the Year four times while gaining All-America status in 2007. Tornow was named an All-American in 2009 and 2010. Suess also coached 22 All-WIAC picks, including Tornow (2009) and Whitney Tyriver (2006) as Player of the Year honorees.

"I'm excited to return to teaching and coaching softball at the high school level," Suess said. "The timing is right for me to take advantage of this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to working with the students, staff and administration."

Prior to UW-Oshkosh, Suess coached softball and taught physical education at Verona High School. Over 12 seasons, she directed the Wildcats to a 228-49 record, five state tournaments and eight Badger Conference championships. Verona finished second at the WIAA Division 1 Tournament in 2001 and 2002.

Suess is a member of the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association (WFSCA) and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Since 2003, the Luxemburg-Casco High School graduate has served as either president or vice president of the WFSCA.

From 1987-88, Suess taught and coached at Avondale High School in Auckland, New Zealand. During 1987, she played on the Metro Softball Club team that captured the New Zealand national championship.

Suess was a standout softball player at Wartburg College (Iowa), gaining NCAA Division III All-America first team honors during 1985. She received the school's John Kurtt Outstanding Alumni Coach of the Year Award in 2005.