Friday, June 22, 2018
by Simon Fraser Athletic Communications

BURNABY, BC – It is a new era for Simon Fraser University softball, with a new head coach for the first time in 25 years as Michelle Peters was appointed head coach of the SFU softball program.
 
An accomplished college, provincial team and community softball coach, Peters brings over 15 years of coaching experience after a highly decorated playing career at Long Island University, an NCAA Division II program in New York.
 
A native of Langley now living in Abbotsford, Peters led Douglas College to a 32-0 record in 2017 as the only Canadian team competing in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC), a league for community colleges located in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Peters was recognized as the 2017 Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) after her perfect season.

In five seasons at Douglas, Peters compiled a 154-35 record and .820 winning percentage. Her program produced 43 conference all-stars and three NFCA All-Americans. Peters will now take charge of Canada's only softball program competing in the NCAA.

"There is so much potential in this program. We have a talented group of returning student-athletes that are quality individuals.  I want to create a culture where character will reveal itself through hard work and dedication, our student-athletes will be valued and respected, and in doing so, they will achieve their goals in softball and in school," said Peters. "I want to build this program with character individuals and then the wins will take care of themselves."
 
"I am very pleased to welcome Michelle to Canada's NCAA team," said SFU athletic director Theresa Hanson. "Michelle's credentials and accolades speak to her outstanding coaching pedigree, and what I am most excited about, is her deep alignment with our department values of providing a positive student-athlete experience."
 
"Michelle carries a passion for developing student-athletes to be their best both in the classroom and on the field of play," continued Hanson, "and I am looking forward to watching her lead our softball program into this new era. 
 
In addition to coaching at Douglas College, Peters was also head coach of the BC Provincial Under-21 team the past seven years, taking Team BC to gold at the Canada Summer Games in 2017. She has also operated the Elite Softball Training Centre and coached at the Yale High School Softball Academy in Abbotsford. Peters won a national title as an assistant coach at SFU in 2010.
 
Peters has received numerous coaching awards throughout her career and was chosen North Region Coach of the Year in 2014, 2015 and 2017 while with Douglas College. She was also recognized by the NFCA while an assistant coach at Long Island University as part of the Northeast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
As a student-athlete at Long Island University, Peters was an infielder and pitcher. She captained the Pioneers her final two seasons and was selected All-conference three times, All-region once and All-academic once.
 
Peters will be responsible for an SFU program that lost in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championship final and finished the season 21-19 overall.
 
"I want to ensure we create an environment where our student-athletes can get the most out of their time at Simon Fraser and that means on the diamond and in the classroom," said Peters. "I want to get to know each of our athletes, create an atmosphere of trust, know what their personal goals are and then get out into the community and represent SFU."