SUNY Brockport Director of Athletics Erick Hart has announced the hiring of Mary Karen Wheat '06 as the Golden Eagles first full-time head softball coach on Tuesday. Wheat will be primarily responsible for managing all functions and oversight of Brockport's softball program.
"We are thrilled to welcome Mary Karen Wheat to the SUNY Brockport family. With her impressive track record of success, passion for the game, and commitment to fostering both athletic and personal growth in our student-athletes, we are confident that she will lead our softball program to new heights," said Athletic Director Erick Hart. "Mary Karen's dedication to excellence aligns perfectly with our university's values, and we look forward to a bright future on the diamond under her guidance."
Wheat spent the majority of the last academic year as an assistant coach at Bryant University where she assisted the head coach in all facets of the softball program with a primary emphasis on working with the pitchers. She also mapped out a yearlong outlook for the pitching staff to identify goals and time frames for the 2022-23 season. She constructed weekly practice schedules for both pitchers and catchers and utilized daily bullpen trackers to follow statistical improvements of each pitcher. She also coordinated with the strength and conditioning staff regarding programming and executed video analysis to assist in creating scouting reports for future opponents.
"I am ecstatic about the opportunity to return to my hometown and become the next Head Coach at SUNY Brockport. I grew up riding my bike on the campus, taking classes in Hartwell and coaching high school sectional games at the Clark V. Whited complex," said Wheat. "This sense of home and community is a cornerstone of the athletic department and will have an immense impact on how the program grows in the upcoming and future seasons. I want to thank the committee and Director of Athletics Erick Hart for this opportunity, and I can't wait to get to work."
She has spent the last two years working with the Great Britain 18U softball program and most recently traveled to Prague this past Summer where they placed fifth out of 22 teams at European Softball Championships.
Prior to her time at Bryant, she spent three years as an assistant coach with the University of Rochester softball program where she was the primary coach for the infielders, hitters and pitchers. In 2021 she was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Assistant Coach of the Year. She helped guide the Yellowjackets to two straight Liberty League Conference championships and the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Championships.
In 2021, UR won the NCAA Division III Regional Championship and finished the year tied for seventh place nationally. She helped the Yellowjackets earn two consecutive Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year honors. She helped lead a Liberty League Co-Pitcher of the Year, one Liberty League Co-Performer of the Year, two Liberty League Rookie's of the Year, nine all-conference first team picks, seven second team all-conference selections and 23 Liberty League All-Academic selections.
Prior to joining the UR staff, Wheat served as the assistant coach at RIT, primarily working with the hitters and pitchers. In addition, she was the head coach at Brockport High School in 2015 and 2016, leading the Blue Devils to the 2015 Section V Championship game. Wheat was also the head coach at Red Jacket Central School, where she led the team to the 2010 Section V Championship, and two Section V Semifinal appearances (2009 and 2011). Wheat has also been a private pitching instructor in the Rochester area for over a decade.
A former standout pitcher at Brockport High School (1995-1998) and Binghamton University (1998-2003). Wheat competed her first two years at Binghamton at the Division II level and the last two at the Division I level. At Binghamton, she pitched 416 innings with a 1.81 ERA.
Her duties as head coach at SUNY Brockport will primarily include coaching, recruiting, game and practice preparation, scheduling, student-athlete evaluations, and team travel. She will be responsible for on-field instruction during practices and contests as well as the creation of practice plans. She will also monitor student-athletes academics, the softball budget, fundraising, and she will supervise assistant coaches, volunteers, and practicum students.
Wheat graduated from Binghamton University in 2003 with a BA in Human Development. She also holds a BS in History and is certified in Adolescent Education from SUNY Brockport. Originally from Brockport, NY, she currently resides in Chili, NY.
