money Sue Kunkle's constant enthusiasm has turned USI softball into a powerhouse
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Jennifer Leonhardt met with a fair share of college softball coaches as a high schooler. Most were typical meet-and-greets, but one stood out above the rest.
She was at a camp in Brandenburg, Kentucky. She made an instant connection with the woman running the pitching drills. Her passion and drive were captivating. Leonhardt assumed she was a "fun high school coach."
It was Sue Kunkle, her future coach at the University of Southern Indiana.
"Right away I thought, 'I want to go play for her,'" said Leonhardt, a former USI All-American pitcher. "She was so open and so willing to talk to me. I never met a college coach who had honestly been that fun."
USI softball: Eagles rally late to clinch third Division II World Series trip in five seasons
Kunkle and the Screaming Eagles will compete this week for a NCAA Division II national championship for the third time in five seasons. No. 4-seeded USI will open play against No. 5 Rogers State on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. CDT in a double-elimination bracket.
Kunkle accepted the head coaching position at USI 21 years ago. After an assistant stint at Division I Akron, she was ready to lead a program. Her philosophy then was the same as it is now: Make softball enjoyable for everyone.
"Win or lose, I wanted each person who played for me to have a nice, special experience," Kunkle said. "As a player, I had these amazing experiences and I vowed that when I got into my own program I would do the same."
The Eagles became a D-II powerhouse under Kunkle. She notched her 600th win at USI this season and has guided them to a national championship, three World Series appearances and eight NCAA tournament berths. This year's team has already set the record for most wins in program history.
USI softball: Southridge grad Kennedy Nalley rediscovers love for softball at USI
But Kunkle doesn't want to take credit for much of that success. She spoke of the many players who have starred on her teams and highlighted her coaching staff, including MacKenzi Dorsam, who played for Kunkle before becoming an assistant.
"I know that the wins and losses go behind my name but it's not about me. It takes a village," Kunkle said. "We've had some wonderful people, wonderful human beings come through this program."
It's clear she has played an integral role in making the Eagles one of the best programs in the Midwest. Other than a few sub-.500 seasons, they've been perennial contenders. That's just what's become expected.
"I think when our freshmen come in, it's kind of like the unwritten rule. This is how we do things and this is how we play," Kunkle said. "Once you have a culture and it's a winning culture, that's where you stay."
Kunkle is often labeled as a player's coach. Her team feeds off her energy. Just watch how she reacts after a big hit — for example, last week's Super Regional comeback against Grand Valley State sparked plenty of emotion from Kunkle along the third baseline.
More on Southern Indiana softball: 3 reasons USI softball is one win away from another Division II World Series appearance
"Coach Kunkle never hides her excitement," said senior Katie Back. "I saw her as a person before I ever saw her as a coach. She's always super honest and she's always herself around us. It makes us feel more at home."
That's her personality. During big moments, Kunkle is just as energetic, if not more, than the college kids going wild in the dugout. Her players love it. It's almost like she's one of them. Her positivity is a staple of her everyday life.
"I'm just passionate. I don't know how a coach stands at third base with barely any emotion," Kunkle said. "One thing I've always told our staff is that win or lose, don't change who you are. I think more coaches should live by that. I like to enjoy life."
When USI takes the field on Thursday, it will begin the team's final weekend in D-II before moving to the D-I Ohio Valley Conference. USI's "Farewell Tour" is starting to hit Kunkle.
She's enjoyed her time at this level, and she's excited about the next challenge. She's hoping that she and her team can create one more special memory in Denver.
"I thought about it the other day, I'm about to coach my last game in Division II on the game's biggest stage. That's pretty awesome," Kunkle said. "It's been an awesome ride."
Contact Courier & Press sports reporter Hendrix Magley via email at hendrix.magley@courierpress.com or via Twitter @TweetsOfHendrix.
NCAA Division II World Series
USI's first game: Thursday at 2:30 p.m. vs. No. 5 Rogers State. It is a double-elimination bracket.
Where: Regency Athletic Complex in Denver, Colorado
How to watch: NCAA.com
How to listen: WREF 97.7 FM, WSWI-95.7FM
The eight-team field: 1. UT Tyler, 2. Adelphi, 3. Auburn-Montgomery, 4. USI, 5. Rogers State, 6. Seton Hill, 7. North Georgia, 8. Cal State Dominguez Hills
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: USI softball: Sue Kunkle's preps team for 2022 NCAA Championship
