Greencastle, Ind. - Gabby Smart, DePauw associate head softball coach, is one of nine individuals selected as a National Fastpitch Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year. Smart was one of nine coaches recognized and the only NCAA Division III honoree. The complete release from the NFCA is available here. 

A 2017 DePauw graduate, Smart joined head coach Erica Hanranhan as an assistant coach in July 2017 before being named associate head coach in July 2023. In her eight seasons, DePauw teams have posted a 190-92-1 overall record including an 80-8 North Coast Athletic Conference mark with five NCAA postseason appearances, four NCAC titles and five NCAC Tournament championships

In 2021, she was part of the staff that was named the NFCA Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year after the Tigers tied for third at the NCAA Division III Championship and finished with a 40-5 record. In 2023, the DePauw staff was selected NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year after the Tigers posted a 12-2 league record.

"As a player, Gabby amazed me with her competitive selflessness to others," Hanrahan said. 

"As a coach, she has made everyone in this DePauw program - and most of all me - want to become a better person.  I am proud beyond belief that Gabby is being recognized by the NFCA for the quiet example she has embodied so evidently to me for the last seven years here at DePauw, where her incredible work ethic and example of integrity is unparalleled.

"For her to receive this award in 2024, after the personal hardship I had to experience with my family (where I could not start the season in person with our team), is more special than I could ever appropriately express.  Gabby was the leader of our team, instilling trust and certainty in a time of unknown, showing boundless love to every woman in the program -while giving me relentless support, encouragement, and love. She reiterated to me that I was exactly where I needed to be, and our players echoed her sentiment that they were in great hands and wanted me to finish caring for my family before rejoining the group, because that is what teams are really about."

These awards salute the efforts of coaches from the various NFCA membership categories for their tireless dedication to the sport of softball and to the continued education, growth and development of young women, both on and off the playing field. The winners will be recognized on Dec. 7 during the NFCA Convention's Awards Brunch in Dallas, Texas.