MANKATO, Minn. — After 41 seasons, 2,216 games and 1,444 victories, Minnesota State head coach
Lori Meyer has announced her retirement as the head coach of the Maverick softball program. Meyer will serve out the remainder of her current contract as a Special Assistant to the Athletic Director before transitioning to her full retirement from the University as planned on June 30.
“There are countless people I want to thank,” stated Meyer. “Starting with Georgene Brock for giving a young coach an unbelievable opportunity. She inspired and mentored me to ascend to a role in which I have been able to champion women’s athletics and build a well-respected softball program within Division II athletics.”
“I would also like to thank the four presidents, previous athletic directors, current Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman, and countless assistants and support staff who have always played an integral role in building the success of Maverick Softball. I especially want to thank my longtime assistant coach Kristle Wolcott, whose loyalty and commitment are unparalleled. I am forever indebted to and share all successes with all of these important people.”
For 41 years, I have poured my heart and soul into our softball program and Maverick Athletics. My goal has always been to leave this program in better shape than I found it and continue to advocate for equity in women’s athletics. I truly believe I have done that. I am grateful for the relationships I’ve built with fellow administrators, coaches, umpires, and student-athletes and will continue to cherish those; that’s the beauty of our game, how it intertwines our paths.”
“To all the women of Maverick Softball, it has been an honor to be part of your journey and watch you flourish in your lives after softball. My intent has always been to use the softball field to teach you life lessons and help shape you into strong, independent women who know how to use their voices. I hope these lessons and experiences will allow you to positively impact your communities and continue to find success in your lives. For today goodbye. For tomorrow good luck, and forever ‘Go Mavs!'”
Meyer’s journey at Minnesota State started in January 1983 when she joined the softball program as a graduate assistant under Rosie Stallman and was invited by Rosie to join the volleyball program in the same capacity that fall. In 1985, she was named the softball program’s fourth head coach and has pioneered monumental changes for the softball program, including expanding the game schedule from 22 to 56 games and fundraising $300,000 for field improvements, including a new backstop, batting cages, and bullpen backstops in 2024.
Over the course of her storied career, Meyer’s teams won three North Central Conference Championships (1987, 1989, 2007) and five Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017). The Mavericks made 18 trips to the NCAA Regional Tournament and three appearances in the NCAA National Championships (1987, 2011 and 2017), with the 2017 squad winning the NCAA Division II National Championship. In 2017, Meyer and her staff were named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Coaching Staff of the Year.
In 2013, Meyer was inducted to the NFCA Hall of Fame. Her 1,444 career wins stand as the most in NCAA Division II history (more than 100 ahead of second-place Gary Bryce of Wayne State (Mich.)), and is sixth all-time in NCAA history, regardless of division.
All 19 of Minnesota State’s All-Americans have played under Coach Meyer. Additionally, four Mavericks have earned Academic All-American honors during her tenure. To fully grasp the impact Meyer has had on Maverick softball, one can simply look at the season and career record book. All except four entries in the all-time top ten lists are student-athletes who were coached by Meyer.
“I am not certain that any words can do justice to the remarkable career that Coach Lori Meyer has compiled, but ‘legendary’ is one that comes to mind,” said Minnesota State Director of Athletics, Kevin Buisman. “She has worn that tag for quite some time, which, in and of itself, is a remarkable tribute to a still active coach and the incredible effect she has had on the sport of fastpitch softball.”
“Her competitive record speaks for itself, but more importantly, it is the profound impact she has had on the legions of players fortunate enough to have called her ‘coach’. They have gone on to enjoy personal and professional successes that were shaped in their formative years by the experiences they had playing for Lori Meyer.”
Besides her legendary career on the diamond, Meyer is the long-time Senior Associate Athletic Director/Senior Women’s Administrator for the Minnesota State Athletic Department, representing MSU in many conference and national committees and is a respected voice in the room. Her impact both in the coaching and administrative realms helped her receive such accolades as being nominated for the NCAA Division II 50th Anniversary Gold Award as well as being selected as one of Minnesota State’s “9 for Title IX” honorees who played a significant role in advancing Title IX and the growth and development of Maverick women’s athletics.
Minnesota State finished the 2025 season with a 39-20 record and again reached the NCAA Tournament.
