MELBOURNE, Fla.- Florida Tech head softball coach Val Silvestrini has been named chairperson of the NCAA Division II Softball Committee.
 
Silvestrini's term of service on the committee begins immediately and continues through August 31, 2024. She moves onto the national committee after serving four years on the Division II South Regional Advisory Committee, including one year as chair.
 
"I'm honored and humbled to serve as chair of the NCAA Division II Softball National Committee for the next 3 years," said Silvestrini. "Softball is a very exciting and growing sport. I'm looking forward to representing the south region and helping provide the best possible experience for the teams that advance to the postseason every year".
 
The committee is comprised of eight representatives of the four Super Regions of Division II softball. The representatives play a crucial role in the NCAA Tournament selection process and in determining the regional and national rankings throughout the season.
 
Each national committee member will serve as chair of the regional advisory committee in his or her respective region.
 
The role of the regional advisory committee is to assist the national committee in evaluating teams throughout the season, evaluating potential regional sites, and recommending the championship.
 
Silvestrini is in her 15th season with the Panthers. During her tenure with the softball program, Silvestrini has compiled a 356-267 record and captured the program's first NCAA South Region title in 2015 and Sunshine State Conference Championship in 2019. As of April 3, 2021, she is the program's leader in wins as she surpassed the late Hall of Famer Dr. Nancy Bottge's mark of 316.
 
The 2023 NCAA DII Softball Championships begin with Regionals, May 11-13. Super Regionals will take place Thursday, May 18, and Friday, May 19, with the winners of the eight Super Regionals converging at the 2023 NCAA DII Softball Championships May 25-31 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
 
NCAA Division II Softball Committee
           

• Allie DeWitt, Associate Commissioner/SWA, Mountain East Conference
• Jason Anderson, Head Softball Coach, Southern Arkansas University
• Susan Cassidy-Luke, Head Softball Coach/Director of Athletics, Molloy University
• Missy Frost, Head Softball Coach, University of Indianapolis
• Val Silvestrini, Head Softball Coach, Florida Tech
• Dixie Cirillo, Associate AD/SWA, Colorado School of Mines
• Kendall Rainey, Director of Athletics, The University of Virginia's College at Wise
• Rebekah Gasner, Compliance Coordinator/SWA, Montana State University Billings

 
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