La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Intercollegiate Athletics Department has named Sam Korn as its ninth softball head coach in school history.  She arrives at UWL after serving as head coach at Rockford University (Ill.) since August 2022.
 
Korn replaces Chris Helixon who stepped down to accept a position in the UWL Academic Advising Center. Born in La Crosse, Korn graduated from Westby (Wis.) High School in 2015.
 
"When I made the decision to make college coaching a career I knew the chances to stay close to Westby were slim to none, so I took opportunities across the country," said Korn. "Being hired as head coach at UWL means everything to me because I am able to come back home and be around the people who have supported me from the start."  

 
She was a four-sport athlete at Westby High School, competing in volleyball, basketball, softball and power lifting. Korn coached with the Westby Softball Recreation Program from 2012-18.
 
She said the initial attraction to the UWL position was the reputation of the softball program in the region. "What sold it for me was seeing the top tier facilities and the supportive administration," added Korn. "In every conversation I had throughout the interviewing process, I felt welcomed and encouraged. I am honored to be named the next leader for Eagles' softball and thankful to the entire search committee for trusting me with this opportunity." 
 
Prior to coaching at Rockford (Ill.), Korn was the head defensive coach and assistant offensive coach at Bridgewater College (Va.) from July 2021 to July 2022. She conducted all defensive practices working with the catchers and assisting with the pitchers. Korn coached six Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) selections at Bridgewater (Va.) as well as two all-region players. The Eagles won their first ODAC Tournament game since 2013.
 
Along with coaching, Korn served as Bridgewater's (Va.) softball recruiting coordinator and was an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
 
She was a graduate assistant softball coach at the University of Pikeville (Ky.) from August 2020 to July 2021. Korn coached all aspects in the program, including strength and conditioning, hitting instruction, leading team practices and working with the catchers and outfielders. She also served as Pikeville's (Ky.) Director of Academic Enhancement, managed the team's social media platforms and organized summer camps. Korn was named the 2021 Pikeville (Ky.) Graduate Assistant Coach of the Year in athletics.
 
"I am very excited to welcome Sam to UWL Athletics," said UWL Director of Athletics Kim Blum.  "She is a great fit to be an Eagle.  Sam has a passion and enthusiasm for softball that, combined with her experience, drive, and goals for the program, position her to take the Eagles to the next level."
 
A three-sport athlete at Alverno College (Wis.), Korn earned four letters for the softball program while also competing in volleyball and golf for the Inferno. She was a member of the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) all four years, serving as President from 2016-19.
 
Korn earned her bachelor's degree in integrated studies from Alverno (Wis.) in 2020 and Master's of Business Administration from Pikeville (Ky.) in 2022.
 
"Besides the obvious of moving home, I am most looking forward to learning and working with the competitive coaches within the department and conference as a whole," said Korn. "My coaching values align very closely with the department's expectations of building champions in sport, school, and life so I am so excited to get started."