Bowling Green State University Athletics
Iconic Hall of Fame Coach Mike Candrea is the Keynote Speaker for BGSU Softball’s First Pitch Dinner
November 29, 2023 | Softball
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Collegiate softball coaching legend Mike Candrea, who led Arizona to eight NCAA titles and 24 College World Series appearances, will be the keynote speaker for BGSU softball's First Pitch Dinner on January 11. Candrea retired following the 2021 season as the all-time winningest NCAA DI softball coach with 1,674 triumphs.
"We are thrilled to welcome a true icon of collegiate coaching, Mike Candrea," said Bowling Green Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe. "With an impressive track record of eight national championships, leadership roles on renowned Olympic teams, and retiring from collegiate softball with the highest number of wins in the sport, Mike rightfully stands among names like Summit, Saban and Wooden. His embodiment of the essential qualities for excelling at the highest level of athletics was evident during his tenure at the University of Arizona and with Team USA Softball. Having personally witnessed his remarkable success both on and off the field, I can vouch for his exceptional character, leadership skills, and his ability to connect with students, student-athletes, and the wider community. Few individuals have achieved what he has. We consider it a tremendous honor to have him as the keynote speaker for our softball "First Pitch" dinner."
The First Pitch dinner will run 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Bowen Thompson Student Union Lenhard Grand Ballroom. Eight-top tables are $750 and table sponsors are $1,000. Single registration is $100. The First Pitch Dinner will allow fans to connect and support the players while previewing the 2024 season. Attendees will be able to share a meal, socialize and listen to speakers. In addition to Candrea, attendees will hear from BG softball head coach Candace Fenton-Bockbrader and Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe.
"I am truly honored to have Mike Candrea as a speaker at the BGSU Softball First Pitch Dinner," stated Fenton-Bockbrader. "From his storied collegiate coaching career to his triumphant achievements in the Olympics, few individuals have left such a profound impact on softball as Mike has. We are continually seeking opportunities to invest in our student-athletes and our university. Learning and growing from one of the all-time greats is an unparalleled chance. We are deeply honored and thrilled to have his support!"
Earlier in the day Candrea will be presenting "Leading & Developing Powerful Organizations with Mike Candrea" in the Maurer Center Atrium at 2:30 p.m.
Click here to register for the event.
About Mike Candrea
Legendary head coach Mike Candrea announced his retirement following the 2021 season. After 36 seasons at Arizona, Candrea left a legacy that will live among the greatest coaches in the history of college athletics. His achievements underscore a record of success almost unparalleled by any program in any sport at any level.
At the time of his retirement, Candrea is the NCAA all-time leader in wins. The iconic coach has enjoyed more than three and a half decades of unparalleled success at the helm of the Arizona softball program. Candrea finishes his career with a 1,674-436-2 (.793) in 35 seasons at Arizona. Under Candrea, the Wildcats won eight national championships and appeared in 24 Women's College World Series. He guided the program to 11 conference championships, most recently the 2017 Pac-12 title, helping Candrea earn his 12th conference coach of the year. In addition to the 12 Pac- West, -10 or -12 Coach of the Year honors, Candrea has also been named the national coach of the year four times and regional coach of the year and has received six regional coach of the year honors.
In addition to his dominance at the collegiate level, Candrea also spent time internationally with USA Softball. Candrea served as the head coach of Team USA's medal-winning teams in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. The team earned gold in Athens in 2004 and silver in Beijing in 2008.
Candrea is one of the most respected coaches in the nation, with the accomplishments to supplement: eight national titles, 24 trips to the Women's College World Series in the last 32 seasons, 1,674 career victories, a mind-boggling career winning percentage of 79 percent, 53 All-Americans with a staggering 108 citations, four national players of the year and stewardship of Team USA to an Olympic gold medal, to name a few.
In 2017, Candrea was inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame, adding it to a long list of hall of fames for the legendary coach that includes the NFCA Hall of Fame (1996), Pima County Hall of Fame (1996) and the Central Arizona College Hall of Fame (2009) and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame (2019).
"We are thrilled to welcome a true icon of collegiate coaching, Mike Candrea," said Bowling Green Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe. "With an impressive track record of eight national championships, leadership roles on renowned Olympic teams, and retiring from collegiate softball with the highest number of wins in the sport, Mike rightfully stands among names like Summit, Saban and Wooden. His embodiment of the essential qualities for excelling at the highest level of athletics was evident during his tenure at the University of Arizona and with Team USA Softball. Having personally witnessed his remarkable success both on and off the field, I can vouch for his exceptional character, leadership skills, and his ability to connect with students, student-athletes, and the wider community. Few individuals have achieved what he has. We consider it a tremendous honor to have him as the keynote speaker for our softball "First Pitch" dinner."
The First Pitch dinner will run 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Bowen Thompson Student Union Lenhard Grand Ballroom. Eight-top tables are $750 and table sponsors are $1,000. Single registration is $100. The First Pitch Dinner will allow fans to connect and support the players while previewing the 2024 season. Attendees will be able to share a meal, socialize and listen to speakers. In addition to Candrea, attendees will hear from BG softball head coach Candace Fenton-Bockbrader and Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe.
"I am truly honored to have Mike Candrea as a speaker at the BGSU Softball First Pitch Dinner," stated Fenton-Bockbrader. "From his storied collegiate coaching career to his triumphant achievements in the Olympics, few individuals have left such a profound impact on softball as Mike has. We are continually seeking opportunities to invest in our student-athletes and our university. Learning and growing from one of the all-time greats is an unparalleled chance. We are deeply honored and thrilled to have his support!"
Earlier in the day Candrea will be presenting "Leading & Developing Powerful Organizations with Mike Candrea" in the Maurer Center Atrium at 2:30 p.m.
Click here to register for the event.
About Mike Candrea
Legendary head coach Mike Candrea announced his retirement following the 2021 season. After 36 seasons at Arizona, Candrea left a legacy that will live among the greatest coaches in the history of college athletics. His achievements underscore a record of success almost unparalleled by any program in any sport at any level.
At the time of his retirement, Candrea is the NCAA all-time leader in wins. The iconic coach has enjoyed more than three and a half decades of unparalleled success at the helm of the Arizona softball program. Candrea finishes his career with a 1,674-436-2 (.793) in 35 seasons at Arizona. Under Candrea, the Wildcats won eight national championships and appeared in 24 Women's College World Series. He guided the program to 11 conference championships, most recently the 2017 Pac-12 title, helping Candrea earn his 12th conference coach of the year. In addition to the 12 Pac- West, -10 or -12 Coach of the Year honors, Candrea has also been named the national coach of the year four times and regional coach of the year and has received six regional coach of the year honors.
In addition to his dominance at the collegiate level, Candrea also spent time internationally with USA Softball. Candrea served as the head coach of Team USA's medal-winning teams in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. The team earned gold in Athens in 2004 and silver in Beijing in 2008.
Candrea is one of the most respected coaches in the nation, with the accomplishments to supplement: eight national titles, 24 trips to the Women's College World Series in the last 32 seasons, 1,674 career victories, a mind-boggling career winning percentage of 79 percent, 53 All-Americans with a staggering 108 citations, four national players of the year and stewardship of Team USA to an Olympic gold medal, to name a few.
In 2017, Candrea was inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame, adding it to a long list of hall of fames for the legendary coach that includes the NFCA Hall of Fame (1996), Pima County Hall of Fame (1996) and the Central Arizona College Hall of Fame (2009) and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame (2019).
SB: First Pitch Dinner Recap (Jan. 11, 2024)
Wednesday, January 24
BGSU-CMU Softball Highlights (May 13, 2022)
Saturday, May 14
BGSU In The Nest : Nikki and Alex Sorgi (Softball)
Wednesday, May 08
BG Softball Beats Akron in Game 1 on Senior Day 4.27
Saturday, April 27