Zymkowitz named assistant softball coach
July 18, 2016 | Softball
Former Illini All-American to join Badgers’ staff
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin softball head coach Yvette Healy announced the hiring of Danielle Zymkowitz as the program's new assistant coach. Zymkowitz comes to Wisconsin after spending two years as an assistant coach for the University of Toledo softball program.
"I am very excited for this opportunity to be a part of the University of Wisconsin and the softball program," Zymowitz said. "I have been fortunate enough to learn from so many great softball minds so far in my career, and I can't wait to continue that while working with Coach Healy. My time playing in the Big Ten Conference was amazing, and I am excited to return now as a coach competing against the best every day."
"We are thrilled to welcome former All-American Danielle Zymkowitz to the Wisconsin Softball coaching staff and the Wisconsin Athletics family," Healy said. "Danielle's character, energy, enthusiasm, ability to motivate others and creative approach to teaching the game makes her a rising star in the coaching profession. Coach Z's playing roots and travel ball connections in the state of California will be critical to our program's success.
"Beyond her West Coast recruiting ties, Danielle was a standout scholar-athlete in the Big Ten. She was an All-American at the University of Illinois, leading her team to two NCAA Championships. Danielle truly understands what it takes to be a successful student-athlete in our conference."
Last season the West Hills, California, native helped Toledo to its first winning league record (12-11) in 19 years, as well as the program's first Mid-American Conference tournament berth since 2013. Zymkowitz worked with the Rockets' infielders, including junior second baseman Chandler Rice, who earned first-team All-MAC honors both years under Zymkowitz's guidance.
Zymkowitz brings a wealth of experience as a player, holding program career records at the University of Illinois for batting average (.384), hits (277), runs scored (202), stolen base attempts (106), stolen bases (91) and stolen base percentage (.858). As a three-year captain and a member of the Illini Leadership Academy, Zymkowitz led her squad to back-to-back regional appearances. She was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association third-team All-American as a sophomore and a senior, becoming the first two-time NFCA All-American in program history. She was also a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection during her career.
While finishing her bachelor's degree in communications, Zymkowitz began her coaching career as a student assistant for the Illini and then went on to earn her Master of Sports Administration while serving as an assistant coach at Farleigh Dickinson University.
Currently in her sixth professional season with the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch league, Zymkowitz earned a starting job in her first year with the Bandits at second base and a Rookie of the Year nomination after earning all-NPF honors. During her time in Chicago, the Bandits won the 2011 NPF Championship and the 2013 regular season championship. In the first half of the 2016 season, Zymkowitz leads the Bandits with 17 runs scored and two triples. She holds the second-highest batting average (.347) on the team tallying 13 RBI and 33 hits.
"As a current professional athlete in the NPF league for the past six seasons, Danielle has surrounded herself with some of the top athletes in our sport, learning from and training with the best softball players in the world," Healy added. "In addition to her personal playing experience, Danielle has four years of Division I college coaching experience, earning her master's degree while coaching. She is a true student of the game and person of extraordinary character and integrity. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious."
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"I am very excited for this opportunity to be a part of the University of Wisconsin and the softball program," Zymowitz said. "I have been fortunate enough to learn from so many great softball minds so far in my career, and I can't wait to continue that while working with Coach Healy. My time playing in the Big Ten Conference was amazing, and I am excited to return now as a coach competing against the best every day."
"We are thrilled to welcome former All-American Danielle Zymkowitz to the Wisconsin Softball coaching staff and the Wisconsin Athletics family," Healy said. "Danielle's character, energy, enthusiasm, ability to motivate others and creative approach to teaching the game makes her a rising star in the coaching profession. Coach Z's playing roots and travel ball connections in the state of California will be critical to our program's success.
"Beyond her West Coast recruiting ties, Danielle was a standout scholar-athlete in the Big Ten. She was an All-American at the University of Illinois, leading her team to two NCAA Championships. Danielle truly understands what it takes to be a successful student-athlete in our conference."
Last season the West Hills, California, native helped Toledo to its first winning league record (12-11) in 19 years, as well as the program's first Mid-American Conference tournament berth since 2013. Zymkowitz worked with the Rockets' infielders, including junior second baseman Chandler Rice, who earned first-team All-MAC honors both years under Zymkowitz's guidance.
Zymkowitz brings a wealth of experience as a player, holding program career records at the University of Illinois for batting average (.384), hits (277), runs scored (202), stolen base attempts (106), stolen bases (91) and stolen base percentage (.858). As a three-year captain and a member of the Illini Leadership Academy, Zymkowitz led her squad to back-to-back regional appearances. She was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association third-team All-American as a sophomore and a senior, becoming the first two-time NFCA All-American in program history. She was also a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection during her career.
While finishing her bachelor's degree in communications, Zymkowitz began her coaching career as a student assistant for the Illini and then went on to earn her Master of Sports Administration while serving as an assistant coach at Farleigh Dickinson University.
Currently in her sixth professional season with the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch league, Zymkowitz earned a starting job in her first year with the Bandits at second base and a Rookie of the Year nomination after earning all-NPF honors. During her time in Chicago, the Bandits won the 2011 NPF Championship and the 2013 regular season championship. In the first half of the 2016 season, Zymkowitz leads the Bandits with 17 runs scored and two triples. She holds the second-highest batting average (.347) on the team tallying 13 RBI and 33 hits.
"As a current professional athlete in the NPF league for the past six seasons, Danielle has surrounded herself with some of the top athletes in our sport, learning from and training with the best softball players in the world," Healy added. "In addition to her personal playing experience, Danielle has four years of Division I college coaching experience, earning her master's degree while coaching. She is a true student of the game and person of extraordinary character and integrity. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious."
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