ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University athletic department has announced that Sam Korn is resigning her position as the school's head softball coach effective at the end of the month. Korn is stepping down to take another college head coaching position in Wisconsin. Current assistant coach Annaka Bartz will step in as the new head softball coach moving forward.

"The softball program is in great hands under Coach Bartz," Director of Athletics Jason Mulligan stated. "She excelled for us both as a player and has been an outstanding assistant coach under Coach Korn and Coach Keener. We are excited to see what the future has in store for the softball program under her leadership." 

"It's an honor and a privilege to become the next head softball coach at Rockford university," Coach Bartz stated. "I want to thank the administration for putting their faith in me and allowing me to continue to grow personally and professionally. I look forward to the opportunity to aid our student-athletes in developing as players and as people"

Bartz has been a part of the RU softball program as a coach or a player for the past five seasons, and the Regents have seen a remarkable turnaround during that time with her either on staff or in uniform. Bartz spent her first three years at Rockford as the team's starting shortstop before transitioning to be an assistant coach starting with the 2022 season.

As a player, Bartz hit .354, with a .430 on-base percentage and a .594 slugging percentage at the top of the Regent lineup. She finished her Rockford career with 96 hits, 92 runs scored, 11 home runs, 5 triples, 22 doubles and 43 RBIs in only 271 at bats. In her final year as a player, Bartz helped lead the Regents to their best season since Rockford joined the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Rockford finished that year with an overall record of 23-18, including an 11-9 NACC record, which was the most ever wins for Rockford in conference play. The Regents also qualified for the NACC Tournament for the first time ever and won their opening game in the conference tournament. 

Bartz then transitioned from the diamond to the coach's box for the 2022 season, and the RU softball program continued to make strides both on and off the field. In her first her on staff, the Regents knocked off #15 Concordia Wisconsin and swept Wisconsin Lutheran for the first time since 2015. Then last season, Rockford defeated fellow NACC school St. Norbert College for the first time in program history. The Regents have seen a lot of individual success over the last two seasons as well. The softball program has had 26 RU Athletic Director's Honor Roll selections, 21 NACC Scholar Athletes, four CSC Academic All-District honorees, three All-NACC selections and a CSC Second Team Academic All-American. 

"I would like to thank Coach Korn for her efforts during her time here at Rockford University," Mulligan remarked. "She did a phenomenal job invigorating our softball program, and I wish Sam all the best in her next collegiate head coaching stop."

Coach Korn leaves Rockford after spending one season as the Regents' head coach. Korn continued to move the Regents in the right direction during her time at the helm of the RU softball program. Rockford broke or tied 11 school records, had nine NACC Scholar-Athletes, 11 RU Athletic Director's Honor Roll selections, four CSC Academic All-District honorees, a First Team All-NACC recipient and the program's first ever Second Team Academic All-American. 

"I am proud of what we were able to accomplish over the last year and excited for the future of Rockford University softball," Coach Korn stated. "There are so many talented athletes in this program, and there are great things coming with the addition of the on-campus turf field and the upcoming recruiting class. I would like to thank everyone who has made this a positive experience and helped me in my first year as a head coach, including a special thanks to Jess Stanek, Bob Koopmann and Annaka Bartz for your unwavering support from day one. I will always be cheering for RU!"

The RU softball team will open its 2024 season in Fort Myers, Fla. during the school's spring break in the first week of March. Rockford's first home games of the season will come on Wednesday, March 20 against Beloit College. First pitch of the doubleheader is currently set for 3 PM.