| Aimee DeVos |
 |
|
 | Position:
Head Coach
|
| Experience:
13th Season
|
| Alma Mater/Year:
Drake, 1993
|
|
|
|
|
Aimee DeVos is in her 13th year as head coach and 14th with the 49ers program. After serving as interim coach in 1995, DeVos was named head coach in 1996.
She had her most succesful season last year, as she led Charlotte to numerous school records which included the most wins in a season with 42, as well as the school's first ever conference championship. The Niners went 17-3 in their first season of A-10 play to capture the regular season title. In addition to the numerous team records, many players had individual milestones as well. A record six players were all-conference selections, four of which were named to the first team. The previous high for all all-league players was three in the 2002 season. Just as important as success on the field, DeVos has graduated 100 percent of her players since taking over as head coach.
Of late, she has produced some of the program's best talent. There have been 11 players earn all league accolades since the 2000 season. In 2000, Lindsey Houghton earned second-team All-Conference USA honors. Two years later, three 49ers were recognized. All-Southeast Region stars Stephanie Dunlap and Leah Heston were named first-team all-conference, while Kristy Constantino was a second-team pick. Dunlap finished her career as the school's career leader in home runs and runs batted in, while Heston set single-season records for batting average and RBI. Kristi Killough is just five behind with one year left to play while Cee Brooks is half way there after just one season. Pitchers have also excelled under DeVos' direction. In 2003, Betsy Thompson closed out her career as the school's all-time leader in strikeouts. That record was surpassed in the `06 season as well when Kristen Bowen became the new leader.
Several of DeVos' players have continued to play after their collegiate careers. In 1999, Janine Repole became the first member of the 49ers drafted by the Women's Professional Fastpitch League (WPFL). Recently, Kristin White (2002) and Melanie Thevenote (2003) played internationally.
A four-year letterwinner at Drake, the Yorkville, Ill., native boasts a healthy softball resume from a successful program. DeVos graduated from Drake in 1993 with a degree in business marketing. She was a 1993 All-Missouri Valley Conference player after leading the Bulldogs to the MVC regular season and tournament championships and a spot in the 1993 National Invitational Championships. A shortstop and outfielder, DeVos still ranks among Drake's all-time leaders in home runs.
At Charlotte, she has put together seven 20-win seasons and became the first 49ers head coach to surpass 200 career wins. With Charlotte's 9-2 win over Saint Louis, April 9, 2004, DeVos recorded her 200th career win.
In 1996, her team set school records for doubles and batting average and an improved pitching staff surfaced, as the 49ers notched their first winning season (27-24-1) since 1991. In 1997, a 29-win season was the Niners second-most successful as a fast-pitch program. Two seasons later in 1999, the 49ers posted their fourth straight 20-win season. In 2002, the team broke school records for batting average, home runs, doubles, RBI, and saves on the way to 24 wins. The 2006 team now holds the records for hits, batting average, homers, and RBI.
In addition to her head coaching duties, DeVos conducts several summer and winter softball camps and clinics. In the summer of 2004, she coached a select group of players to play on the U.S. Olympic team in Charlotte.
DeVos and her husband, Dan, have two sons, Nolan and J.J. Her husband is the associate director of athletics for marketing and ticketing with the Charlotte 49ers.
