Foster Named KU Softball Associate Head Coach

June 25, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Buddy Foster, former head coach at Bradley University, has been named the new Kansas associate head softball coach as announced by KU head coach Tracy Bunge Wednesday.

Foster spent the last three seasons with Missouri Valley Conference member Bradley, leading the Braves to a 63-73 record in that span and its first winning season in over a decade in 2006.

“We are extremely excited Buddy has decided to become a Jayhawk,” said Bunge. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about the game of softball and he will help in many different capacities. I really think the players will enjoy playing for him and he is a welcome addition to the staff.”

Prior to Bradley, Foster spent six years as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois where he helped the Salukis to back-to-back regular-season Missouri Valley Conference Championships. In addition to serving as the recruiting, travel and camp coordinator, Foster assisted with the fundraising efforts at SIU and his responsibilities also included working as the Salukis’ hitting instructor. He helped lead Southern Illinois to a Valley record 47 victories in 2005, in addition to a conference record for league wins as the Salukis claimed the regular-season championship for the second consecutive year with a 24-3 mark.

After earning his bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State in 1991, Foster worked as a graduate assistant with the softball program at SEMO (1992-93). He then returned to coaching in 1996 as an assistant coach at John A. Logan College in Carbondale, Ill., before eventually returning to his alma mater where he served as an assistant coach for the 1998 and 1999 seasons. SEMO’s recruiting and travel coordinator, Foster also served as the team’s pitching coach, as he guided two OVC Pitchers of the Year and helped SEMO to two Ohio Valley regular-season and tournament titles as well as two NCAA Tournament appearances.