June 26, 2007
The Patriot League recently conducted a brief question and answer session with Lafayette Softball Head Coach Jeanine Gunther. Gunther took over the reigns of the Leopard program in 2006 and was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year in her first season. Gunther has led the Leopards to two-straight Patriot League Tournament berths.
PL: How did you get into coaching softball?
JG: At some point during my college playing career at UNC, I decided I wanted to go into coaching. I worked at various softball camps over the summers during college and I really made an effort to learn from as many different coaches as possible. I was really fortunate to gain that experience as a college student-athlete.
PL: Since your arrival at Lafayette, the softball program has made vast improvements. What about your coaching style has allowed for this transformation?
JG: I have always had the ability to establish great connections and relationships with the players I have coached. I definitely think that is part of our success - we have a mutual respect. The environment at Lafayette felt so comfortable right away. I don't think we had to go through a huge adjustment period when I took over the program - it was a really smooth transition. I asked them what they wanted to do as a team, I told them what I thought we could do and how we were going to do it and then we got started.
PL: Talk about your professional experience with the Georgia Pride?
JG: It was such a great experience to not only play after college, but to get paid to do it. I had the privilege of playing for Cindy Bristow, one of the greatest teachers in the game of softball. I learned so much from Cindy and I have so many great memories from that summer.
PL: Share your thoughts on coaching in the Patriot League - a conference that prides itself on the scholar-athlete model.
JG: I talk about this every time I meet with a recruit. It is so great to be able to coach at the Division I level in an environment that truly values academics. We recruit student-athletes who have an expectation of success in all aspects of their lives. Our players recognize that their success in the classroom and on the field is a direct result of the effort they put forth. It is so satisfying to see our players succeed on the field and then have so much to look forward to after they graduate as they begin their professional careers.
PL: Any special plans for the summer?
JG: Lots of Recruiting, of course. I still work camps at UNC in July. It is great to go back to Chapel Hill every summer and I hope to get some time at the beach. I grew up in Virginia Beach, so I can't really go a whole summer without beach time!