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Sept. 7, 2005
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia head softball coach Karen Johns has announced the hiring of Iyhia McMichael as an assistant coach. McMichael comes to UVa after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin during the 2005 season. She has spent the last two summers playing for the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch League. McMichael will coach the outfielders for Virginia.
“We are very excited to have Iyhia McMichael join the coaching staff,” said Johns. “Iyhia brings a wealth of both collegiate and professional playing experience to the program that will be extremely beneficial in the development of our players.”
McMichael helped lead the Akron Racers to the 2005 National Pro Fastpitch championship. She hit the game-winning home run in the eighth inning of the championship game to lift the Racers to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bandits for the NPF title on August 30. McMichael was also the MVP of the 2005 NPF All-Star Game, which was played on August 28, after she hit a two-run homer to lead the East team to a 2-1 victory over the West.
During the 2005 season, McMichael hit an impressive .400 (62-155) with 12 doubles, three triples and 11 home runs. She drove in 35 runs, scored 56 times and stole 13 bases. The outfielder posted a .684 slugging percentage and also had a .450 on-base percentage. In the 2004 NPF season, McMichael was named the league’s Player of the Year and won the batting crown with a .349 average. The number one pick in the 2004 NPF Senior Draft, possessed a .443 on-base percentage and a .430 slugging percentage.
McMichael is a 2004 Mississippi State graduate with a degree in marketing. The Nacogdoches, Texas, native had a standout softball career for Mississippi State where she was a two-time First Team Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American (2003 and 2004). McMichael also earned NFCA All-South Region honors three times, including first-team accolades in 2003 and 2004. McMichael was named the Southeastern Conference Softball Athlete of the Year in 2003 and 2004. In addition to capturing first-team All-SEC honors three times, she was also a second-team pick in 2001.
“I am really excited to come to the University of Virginia to coach,” said McMichael. “This is a great starting point for my coaching career. I know I will learn a lot about coaching from coach Johns as well as coach (Carie) Dever-Boaz. I am also looking forward to working with the players and helping the team achieve its goals.”