U'Ren announces retirement from coaching
5/19/2021 12:00:00 PM | Softball
ST. CLOUD, MINN. - After 26 years with the program, St. Cloud State University softball head coach Paula U'Ren is officially hanging up her cleats. The veteran coach and staple of the Huskies athletics department and softball program announced her retirement from coaching Wednesday following the team's run in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Tournament.
"Today, I say good bye to St. Cloud State softball and will retire as the head coach after 26 years on the coaching staff," said U'Ren in a statement. "Having spent over half my life as a Husky, it has been a privilege to serve as their head coach. Over the past 26 years, I have had the honor to coach some amazing, talented student-athletes who have made their impact on both the Huskies softball program and on me. I count myself very lucky to have the opportunity to do a dream job for so long and be able to share my love for softball with them."
U'Ren took over as head softball coach in 1997 after serving as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons. She went on to become the winningest coach in program history, posting a lifetime record of 768-509-1 for a career winning percentage of .601. Additionally, St. Cloud State earned seven trips to the NCAA tournament with U'Ren at the helm, including a third place finish in 2004 and most recently received an at-large bid to the NCAA Regional in 2019. U'Ren also led the Huskies to conference titles in 1998, 2003 and 2004 when the team was a member of the North Central Conference (NCC) and appeared in 16 conference tournaments between the NCC and NSIC.
Softball student-athletes found success both on and off the field during U'Ren's tenure with St. Cloud State. In 26 seasons, she coached seven All-Americans, 22 NFCA All-Region honorees, six Academic All-Americans, five SCSU Female Senior Athletes of the Year and upwards of 50 NCC/NSIC All-Conference honorees. Additionally, 100+ softball players were named to their respective Academic All-Conference teams in the last quarter of a century with just as many earning Scholar All-America honors from the NFCA.
"It is with respect and admiration that I accept Paula's retirement and transition into a faculty position in St. Cloud State's Department of Kinesiology," commented Huskies Director of Athletics Heather Weems. "The demands of collegiate coaching are many and seemingly increase each year. That said, the rewards are innumerable. During her time at St. Cloud State, Paula has mentored and supported countless young women as they developed their talents and discovered their passions as students, athletes, and community members. They learned discipline, resilience, and how to push past discomfort. They also learned the value of family – teammates, coaches, parents, alumni, supporters – and its importance to success. After a hard, yet successful COVID year, Paula transitions with a solid personal legacy and the softball program enjoys a strong foundation for continued growth and success. She will also be a great asset to the Department of Kinesiology and Sports Management program as she brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership in that new role."
U'Ren will remain at St. Cloud State as a professor in the Kinesiology department and sports management faculty. A national search to fill her position will begin immediately.
