Dec. 19, 2000

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette softball team will have an addition to its coaching staff when it debuts this spring as William DiMichele was recently hired as an assistant to head coach John Wong.

DiMichele has been an assistant softball coach in Lower Nazareth Township since 1992, acting primarily as a pitching coach for girls ages 11 through 18. He has acted as a private coach for developing softball pitchers in the area and he has also been an assistant coach for a men's over 40 hardball league.

DiMichele was a pitcher on his high school baseball team and he helped his legion team to a championship title. The Brooklyn native wanted to pursue a career in baseball as a pitcher but he was drafted into the Armed Services where he sustained a shoulder injury which prevented him from continuing his baseball career. From there he went on to work as a postal service supervisor in New York for 30 years.

"William will be a great asset to the Lafayette softball program," said Director of Athletics Eve Atkinson. "He has had tremendous success as a pitching coach and his local ties to softball programs should prove helpful to the recruiting process."

The Nazareth, Pa., resident joins up with 2000 Patriot League Coach of the Year John Wong this spring to help the Lafayette softball team make yet another strong showing in the league. Lafayette finished 6-20 overall record last season and earned a third place finish in the Patriot League with a record of 4-6, the most league wins in the program's history.