SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio - Notre Dame College Director of Athletics Scott Swain has announced the hiring of Kelsey Stopp as the head coach of the NDC softball program. Stopp served as the assistant coach last season and was a standout player in her time as a student-athlete at Notre Dame from 2012-15.
 
"I am excited that Kelsey will be leading our softball program," Swain said. "I have known Kelsey for a number of years both as a student-athlete and a coach. She will do a tremendous job coaching our student-athletes to success on the field and in the classroom. With her at the helm the future of Falcon softball is very bright."

Stopp will take over a team that went 19-31 (14-19 MEC) last season and appeared in its fifth-straight MEC Tournament.
 
Her time as a player was highlighted in her senior season when she was a First Team All-American and the Atlantic Region Player of the Year. Stopp ranks in the top 10 in nearly all NDC career ranking statistical categories and ended her career as a Falcon with a .410 batting average, 125 runs, 165 RBIs and 28 home runs.
 
"Being named the Head Coach here at NDC has been a dream come true," Stopp said. "I have always loved it here and am excited to work with an amazing group of young women. Notre Dame College has always felt like home to me and I have always dreamed of being in this position. I look forward to the program's future and I am so thankful for this opportunity that I have been given."

After graduating from Notre Dame in 2015, she spent a season playing with Italian professional team Collecchio Labadini. In 2017 she graduated from Malone University with a Master's Degree.