Lyon College hires Peel as head softball coach

February 26, 2007

Lyon College has selected former University of Memphis assistant baseball coach and current Lyon baseball assistant Jack Peel as its inaugural women's fast-pitch softball head coach.

Peel spent six years as a professional baseball player in both the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers organizations and was an assistant at the University of Memphis from 1991-94, before coming to Lyon College.

The new head coach is looking forward to building a fast-pitch softball program with student-athletes the College can be proud of.

“I'm ecstatic to have the opportunity to be able to create something from the ground floor up,” said Peel, “and to be able to have a chance to do it at Lyon College -- a great school with great students and the great people to work with, what more of a chance can you ask for?”

Lyon College Athletics Director Terry Garner considers the upstart program to be in very good hands with Peel at the helm.

“We're lucky to have been able to hire someone of Jack's character and quality,” said Lyon College Athletics Director Terry Garner. “I think he's the perfect person to get our softball program off and running in the right direction.”

And Peel believes the potential for Lyon College's fast-pitch softball program is unlimited.

“Softball as a sport is just really beginning to grow nationally,” said Peel, “and we have the chance to really do something special surrounded by a quality community and backed by a school the quality of Lyon College. I just want to thank the search committee and Lyon College President Dr. Walter Roettger for giving me the opportunity.”

Lyon is a member of the NAIA's TranSouth Conference and is scheduled to begin fast-pitch softball play in the spring of 2008. Softball joins a list of seven other colligate sports offered at Lyon - including baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross-country, golf and tennis.