University of Memphis Athletics
Trena Prater Named Memphis Tigers Head Softball Coach
Aug 12, 2024 | Softball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Trena Prater has been named head softball coach at the University of Memphis, Senior Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Ed Scott announced Monday.
Prater, the 2024 Coastal Athletic Association Coach of the Year, comes to Memphis after leading Campbell University to a 79-39-1 record over the past two seasons.
"Coach Prater is a proven winner and an exceptional leader of student-athletes on and off the field," Scott said. "As she has done throughout her career, she will build a well-rounded team that competes for championships. This is a wonderful day for the Memphis Tigers, and I look forward to supporting Coach Prater as she brings an exciting brand of softball to Tiger Nation."
Campbell was 37-21-1 overall and 22-5 during its inaugural season in the CAA in 2024, winning the regular-season conference championship. The 22 conference wins set a CAA record as the team led the league with a .330 batting average, 1.58 earned run average and .975 fielding percentage. In addition to Prater being named the league's Coach of the Year, the Fighting Camels' Isabella Smith was named Pitcher of the Year, Alyssa Henault was named Player of the Year and Lindsay Lumsden was named Rookie of the Year.
In 2023, Campbell went 42-18 and 15-5 in the Big South Conference, finishing in a tie at the top of the regular-season conference standings. Prater led the program to its third-ever NCAA Regional win with a 7-1 victory over George Mason in the 2023 Durham Regional. Nine Campbell players earned all-conference honors with Smith named Big South Pitcher of the Year and Madilyn Gillespie earning Freshman of the Year.
"I'd like to thank Dr. Scott and Lauren Ashman for believing in me and my vision for the Memphis softball program," Prater said. "I feel blessed and beyond grateful for this opportunity to lead these young ladies to competitive greatness. I can't wait to develop my team, reconnect with alumni, collaborate with other coaches in the athletic department and make an impact in the community. Taking this job is bigger than me."
Prater brings nine seasons of Division I head coach experience from her time at Campbell, Buffalo (2014-17) and Hampton (2011-13). As an assistant, Prater served on staff at Iowa (2019-22), UCF (2018), Mississippi Valley State (2008-10), Maryland (2006-08) and George Washington (2003-04). She was named associate head coach at Iowa for the 2022 season.
"This is an exciting day for the Memphis Softball program," said Ashman, deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator. "Trena is a proven winner and loves the process of building a successful program. She possesses a true passion for the development of her student-athletes and her genuine excitement about joining the Memphis community is incredibly infectious. I am thrilled to welcome Trena, her husband Joe and son Deuce to the Memphis Tigers family."
Prater was a standout player at LSU from 1999-2002, earning 2002 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year honors while being named a semifinalist for the 2002 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. A three-time All-SEC selection during her career, she was also named an Easton First-Team All-American and NFCA Second-Team All-American in 2002.
She holds the LSU records for career triples (27) and single-season triples (14 in 2002) and is tied for the most career games started (273). The Tigers were 230-45 during her four seasons with the program. They finished third at the Women's College World Series in 2001.
Prater played professionally for the Akron Racers (2004, 2008-09), New York Juggernauts (2005), Chicago Bandits (2006) and Philadelphia Force (2007) in National Pro Fastpitch.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Softball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Prater, the 2024 Coastal Athletic Association Coach of the Year, comes to Memphis after leading Campbell University to a 79-39-1 record over the past two seasons.
"Coach Prater is a proven winner and an exceptional leader of student-athletes on and off the field," Scott said. "As she has done throughout her career, she will build a well-rounded team that competes for championships. This is a wonderful day for the Memphis Tigers, and I look forward to supporting Coach Prater as she brings an exciting brand of softball to Tiger Nation."
Campbell was 37-21-1 overall and 22-5 during its inaugural season in the CAA in 2024, winning the regular-season conference championship. The 22 conference wins set a CAA record as the team led the league with a .330 batting average, 1.58 earned run average and .975 fielding percentage. In addition to Prater being named the league's Coach of the Year, the Fighting Camels' Isabella Smith was named Pitcher of the Year, Alyssa Henault was named Player of the Year and Lindsay Lumsden was named Rookie of the Year.
In 2023, Campbell went 42-18 and 15-5 in the Big South Conference, finishing in a tie at the top of the regular-season conference standings. Prater led the program to its third-ever NCAA Regional win with a 7-1 victory over George Mason in the 2023 Durham Regional. Nine Campbell players earned all-conference honors with Smith named Big South Pitcher of the Year and Madilyn Gillespie earning Freshman of the Year.
"I'd like to thank Dr. Scott and Lauren Ashman for believing in me and my vision for the Memphis softball program," Prater said. "I feel blessed and beyond grateful for this opportunity to lead these young ladies to competitive greatness. I can't wait to develop my team, reconnect with alumni, collaborate with other coaches in the athletic department and make an impact in the community. Taking this job is bigger than me."
Prater brings nine seasons of Division I head coach experience from her time at Campbell, Buffalo (2014-17) and Hampton (2011-13). As an assistant, Prater served on staff at Iowa (2019-22), UCF (2018), Mississippi Valley State (2008-10), Maryland (2006-08) and George Washington (2003-04). She was named associate head coach at Iowa for the 2022 season.
"This is an exciting day for the Memphis Softball program," said Ashman, deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator. "Trena is a proven winner and loves the process of building a successful program. She possesses a true passion for the development of her student-athletes and her genuine excitement about joining the Memphis community is incredibly infectious. I am thrilled to welcome Trena, her husband Joe and son Deuce to the Memphis Tigers family."
Prater was a standout player at LSU from 1999-2002, earning 2002 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year honors while being named a semifinalist for the 2002 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. A three-time All-SEC selection during her career, she was also named an Easton First-Team All-American and NFCA Second-Team All-American in 2002.
She holds the LSU records for career triples (27) and single-season triples (14 in 2002) and is tied for the most career games started (273). The Tigers were 230-45 during her four seasons with the program. They finished third at the Women's College World Series in 2001.
Prater played professionally for the Akron Racers (2004, 2008-09), New York Juggernauts (2005), Chicago Bandits (2006) and Philadelphia Force (2007) in National Pro Fastpitch.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Softball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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