DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque has announced Andrea Bombace (Ahn dree uh  Bomm base) as the head softball coach for the University of Dubuque. She is the 15^th softball coach in school history. She was most recently an assistant coach at Mount Saint Mary College Knights in Newburgh, N.Y. in 2023.
  
"Andrea impressed me with a calm sense of who she is and who our players will become," commented Nelson Edmonds, Vice President of Student Engagement and Intercollegiate Athletics. "Simmering below the surface is a fierce spirit to compete and to develop our softball program, while consistently serving our campus community.  We are excited to have her and assistant coach Hannah Tomasko join the Spartan Family."  
  
Bombace played her collegiate softball at Syracuse University and nearby Marist College. Bombace wearing the #33 jersey clubbed nine home runs and drove in 27 runs as a freshman, ending her rookie campaign with three records for the Orange, including Slugging percentage, RBI and Fielding Percentage.  
 
"I am honored to be named the next Head Softball Coach for the University of Dubuque," said Bombace. "I would like to thank the President Dr. Jeffrey F. Bullock, the Vice President of Student Engagement and Intercollegiate Athletics, Nelson Edmonds and the search committee for this wonderful opportunity. " 
  
She earned an associate of science degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Syracuse and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Studies at Marist College before becoming a special agent with the United States Secret Service from 2020-2022. She has been involved with Cadets Player Development Academy, PA Nightmare Fastpitch Organization, an 18U Elite travelling team, Gap2Gap Sports Performance in Mahopac, N.Y. in all aspects of softball training as director of softball. She has also been the hitting coach for TC Futures Fastpitch Organization in Mahopac, N.Y. Bombace is the owner and founder of 1stBace Performance, LLC. In Wappingers Falls, N.Y. since 2020. 

 "I am excited to call the University of Dubuque my new home and for entrusting me with this responsibility and providing me with the resources, staff, and support necessary to succeed," stated Bombace.

Bombace was a two-sport athlete at Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., playing both softball and basketball. During her senior softball season at Ketcham, Bombace hit .543 with nine home runs and 42 RBI. Over the course of her high school career, Bombace belted 38 home runs and batted over .425 in each season on her way to being named All-League four times and All-Section three times. Bombace was named All-New York State and Poughkeepsie Journal Player of the Year following her senior campaign and was a finalist for Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of New York. 
 
Joining Bombace will be assistant coach Hannah Tomasko. She was a varsity student-athlete at Aurora University from 2017-2022. Tomasko was named a three-time First Team All-NACC, three-time MVP award honoree as a pitcher. She also claimed NFCA All-American, NFCA All-Region, Aurora Woman of the Year honors, Female Athlete of the Year, a scholar athlete, Scholar Athlete in NACC, and pitcher of the Year in NACC. She earned her Master's of Business Administration degree in May of 2023 and had been the pitching coach at Aurora.
 
Bombace added, "Stepping into this role with my Assistant Coach, Hannah Tomasko, I am filled with excitement and passion for the game of softball and the potential that lies within our team. I am confident with hard work, grit, and a positive attitude, we can achieve greatness and become a force to be reckoned with in the very competitive American Rivers Conference and beyond. Every piece is in place for us to build the program back to where it can and should be." 

She was born in White Plains, N.Y. and currently resides in Dubuque.   
  
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For further information, please contact Paul Misner, director of sports information, at 563.589.3168 or pmisner@dbq.edu.