Metro East Sun

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville softball coach Sandy Montgomery recently announced her plans to retire on Oct. 1.

Montgomery walks away as the longest tenured coach in school history, boasting a 1,051-540-2 record and a 660 winning percentage after a career spanning more than three decades. 

“We are grateful for all of coach Montgomery’s contributions to Cougar athletics during her SIUE tenure,” SIUE Director of Athletics Brad Hewitt told the Belleville News-Democrat. “Her teams not only performed at a championship level on the field but also carried that excellence into the classroom. Her loyalty and dedication to this university is immeasurable.”

Montgomery’s ongoing contributions weren’t just felt between the lines. She also served as associate director of athletics and was instrumental in shepherding the Cougars through their jump to Division I in 2008.

The year before that, Montgomery led SIUE to its only softball national championship, earning that year’s squad a place in the SIUE Athletics Hall of Fame.

“There is never a good time to coach that final season as I have always found myself waiting for another class to graduate,” Montgomery told the Belleville News-Democrat. “I am in a great place in my life right now. Softball and SIUE will always be a huge part of my life, but the time has come. As I have always said: once a Cougar, always a Cougar.”

Montgomery first walked onto the SIUE campus back in 1981 as a student-athlete under Cindy Jones. She leaves as a member of the SIUE Athletics Hall of Fame.

“It’s been a great run, and I’ve really enjoyed working with so many great student-athletes,” she said. “I am very thankful for my time at SIUE. It has been my home for more than half of my life.”

Associate Head Coach Jessica Jones will replace Montgomery on an interim basis.