The longest tenured head coach at SIUE, the 2013 season marks Sandy Montgomery's 25th season as the leader of the Cougar softball program.

Coach Montgomery opened the season needing one more victory to pass 850 in her collegiate coaching career. Her coaching record stands at 849-428-2 to open the 2013 season. Montgomery has earned her success through hard work and determination. No matter the level, she always has found success.

The Senior Woman Administrator for SIUE, Montgomery has made an impact not only on the softball program but also a lasting impact on the SIUE Department of Athletics. While staying engaged in the day-to-day workings of the department, Montgomery was instrumental in SIUE’s move to the Division I level as a member of the certification process, working as a member of the Self-Study Steering Committee and the Equity and Student Welfare Sub-Committee.

Her coaching résumé is among the nation's finest, including an NCAA Division II National Championship in 2007. It also features two consecutive appearances in the National Finals, in 2006 and 2007, and nine consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament from 2000 to 2008. In 2007, Montgomery's staff was named the National Staff of the Year.

Montgomery’s top hitter for the 2012 season, third baseman Alex McDavid, hit .368 with a team-leading 30 runs batted in during her freshman season. She was lauded by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/Louisville Slugger as a first team All-Mideast Region selection.

The Cougars have averaged 30 victories per season since joining the Division I ranks in 2009 and have their eyes on elite status under Montgomery’s direction. Since joining the Ohio Valley Conference, Cougar Field has been one of the toughest places to play in the league with 18 home victories in the first two seasons of play. SIUE finished fourth during its first run through the Ohio Valley Conference, qualifying for the 2011 OVC Tournament in its first year of eligibility. The future continues to look bright for the Cougars, which has recorded an RPI as high as 56^th during the 2013 season.

SIUE picked up 27 victories during the 2010 season in its final season as an NCAA Division I independent. Third baseman Lauren Zembruski, outfielder Megan Murphy, and pitcher Erika Taylor were named first team NCAA Division I All-Independent.

Montgomery and her 2009 team made a splash in the program’s first year at the NCAA Division I level. The Cougars finished 40-10 with a RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) of 49. Zembruski, outfielder Courtney Mall, and pitcher Kaitlin Colosimo were named first team NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-Mideast Region selections.

Montgomery's teams not only succeed on the field but also in the classroom. Kasey Schlafke earned 2011 Academic All-District honors as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). SIUE was ranked No. 16 in the nation by the NFCA for the 2009-2010 academic year with a team grade point average of 3.410. Her teams consistently have a cumulative grade point average well above 3.0.

On the field, Montgomery has coached 11 All-Americans and 53 All-Region selections. She led the Cougars to the NCAA Division II National Tournament 11 times and won the GLVC Tournament five times, including three consecutive titles from 2006 to 2008. Montgomery earned the Great Lakes Valley Conference's Coach of the Year honor four times. The NFCA also named SIUE the Regional Coaching Staff of the Year three times. The 2009 season marked the 14th straight season Montgomery's teams won 30 or more games.

Montgomery finished out her collegiate softball career at SIUE where she became one of the most successful pitchers in the school's history. She hurled 42 shutouts and finished with a career record of 84-26.

As a senior, Montgomery tallied a record of 30-8 with a 0.64 earned run average. In her senior year, she was named a Central Region All-American and voted Most Valuable Player. Montgomery had held the school records for most career wins and most career strikeouts. She has earned numerous accolades for her playing career, including induction into the Illinois Amateur Softball Association’s Hall of Fame as well as induction in 2006 to the SIUE Athletics Hall of Fame.

Montgomery graduated from SIUE with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1986. In 1988, she earned her master's degree in physical education from SIUE.

Montgomery's Accomplishments at SIUE

• National Champions - 2007
• Great Lakes Regional Champions - 2006, 2007
• NCAA-II Tournament Appearances - 1990, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
• Conference Titles - 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008
• National Coaching Staff of the Year - 2007
• Regional Coaching Staff of the Year - 2003, 2006, 2007
• 11 All-Americans since 1989
• 52 All-Region players since 1989
• 61 All-Conference players since 1995
• 50-win seasons - 2002, 2006
• 40-win seasons - 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
• 30-win seasons - 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004
• 14 straight 30-win seasons - 1996-2009

Montgomery's record at SIUE

*SIUE was issued two forfeits in each season.
Conference record in parentheses
#National Champions