CSR (Deb Bakker Named Calvin Softball Coach)

JULY 1, 2004
Deb Bakker Named Calvin Softball Coach

 Deb Bakker is returning to the Calvin coaching ranks as she has been named
the school's head softball coach. Bakker replaces Amber Warners who stepped
down from the position at the conclusion of the 2004 season to focus on her
duties as the head coach of the Calvin women's volleyball team.

It marks the second coaching stint for Bakker as Calvin softball coach as she
previously held the position in 1995 and 1996.

A professor in Calvin's, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and
Sport Department, Bakker has not coached since 2000 but is excited to return to
the Calvin coaching ranks.

"I'm very excited to get back into coaching," said Bakker. "After
three years away from coaching I feel that my (coaching) batteries are
recharged. I've missed the challenge that coaching at the collegiate level
presents."

A 1982 graduate of Calvin, Bakker earned her master's degree from Western
Michigan University and completed her Ph.D in the summer of 1995 in Health
Education at Indiana University. A former two-sport athlete for the Knights in
field hockey and softball, Bakker was honored with the Kay Tiemersma Award as a
Calvin senior. The Tiemersma Award is presented annually to the varsity
women's athlete who best exemplifies athletic ability, scholastic standing, and
character and leadership.

Bakker previously taught and coached at Holland Christian High School and Hope
College. Bakker also guided the Calvin field hockey team in 1990.

During her previous two-year tenure as Calvin softball coach, Bakker compiled
a won-loss record of 52-30 that included a pair of trips to the NCAA III
Tournament. Her 1996 team reached the finals of the NCAA III Central Regional
before falling to defending national champion Chapman University (CA). She
also served as head women's soccer coach for six years (1995-2000), compiling
a record of 89-26-3 that included three MIAA titles and two trips to the NCAA
III Tournament.

Combined, Bakker has 22 years of coaching experience.

"I feel that my greatest expertise as a coach is in softball," said
Bakker. "I've played and coached the game at the collegiate level and
it's the sport I feel most comfortable to coach."

Bakker takes over a Calvin softball team that graduated just two players from
its 2004 team that finished 19-17 overall and in third place in the final MIAA
standings.

"Our expectations for next year should be good," said Bakker. "We have
a large group of returning players and I'm stepping into a program that is
very sound. Amber has done a terrific job with the softball team over the last
eight years and I'm thankful for the positive direction she has given to the
program."

During her eight years as Calvin softball coach, Warners compiled a won-loss
record of 151-138 that included a share of the final MIAA crown in 1997 as well
as two trips to the NCAA III Tournament. Her 1997 team captured the NCAA III
Central Region title and advanced to the NCAA III Softball World Series where
the Knights took sixth place.

Warners has done double-duty as a head coach at Calvin over the past two years
as she became Calvin's head volleyball coach in 2002 and has led the Knights
to back-to-back second place finishes in the MIAA.

An assistant professor in the Calvin Health, Physical Education, Recreation,
Dance and Sport Department, Warners is in the process of completing her
doctoral dissertation at Michigan State University. This past March, Warners
also gave birth to her third son, Tanner, who joined older brothers Emmett (6)
and Carson (4).

"It is difficult to leave the softball program because of all of the
relationships and memories that have taken place for me over the past eight
years," said Warners. "But the time commitment for coaching two sports
along with my teaching and family obligations had become too much. The thing
that I feel very good about is that I'm leaving the program in good hands
with Deb. I know she will do a great job."

Nancy Meyer, Calvin's director of women's athletics offered praise for
Warners and Bakker.

"First of all I would like to thank Amber for her eight years of dedicated
service to the softball program," said Meyer. "She did a fantastic job and
we are grateful for all of her efforts. We also feel very fortunate to fill the
position with a highly-qualified individual from within our own ranks in Deb
Bakker. She is excellent in softball game strategy and has a wealth of
coaching experience behind her."

Bakker will be joined by assistant coach Sara Christner who will head into her
fourth year as a coach with the Calvin softball program. A 2000 graduate of
Calvin College, Christner was a four-year starter on the Calvin softball team
at both the catcher and shortstop positions. She was also a regular member of
the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, graduating with a degree in therapeutic
recreation. In addition to her coaching duties, Christner serves as the
Coordinator of Athletic Recruitment in the Calvin Admissions Department.

"I'm excited that Sara will continue to be a part of the coaching
staff," said Bakker. "She was an outstanding athlete and student at
Calvin and has first-hand knowledge about what a positive experience a
student-athlete can have here at Calvin. She also has very good coaching
skills and I feel fortunate to have someone with her experience as part of our
staff."

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Thu Jul 1 17:21:08 2004