University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Darryl Sims announced Sept. 18 the selection of Scott Beyer as the University’s new head women’s softball coach.
Beyer comes to UW Oshkosh from UW-Green Bay, where he served as an assistant coach for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Phoenix since 2011. Beyer helped UW-Green Bay to a 62-74 record, including a 24-22 mark during his first season at the school. Last spring, the Phoenix went 15-25 while recording victories over the University of Notre Dame (Ind.) and the University of Wisconsin.
“All of us at UW Oshkosh are thrilled to have Scott as our next head women’s softball coach,” said Sims. “He is a true student of the game, an outstanding teacher and an excellent recruiter. Scott has worked hard to prepare himself for this position and I’m confident that he will continue our success on the field, in the classroom and as a member of the UWOshkosh community.”
With Beyer as UW-Green Bay’s hitting coach, four members of the Phoenix received All-Horizon League honors. In 2011, Alli Rivera earned first-team recognition while three other players collected second-team awards. Rivera is the school’s all-time leader in home runs and runs batted in.
“At UW-Green Bay, I was given many opportunities that enhanced my skill set as a coach,” Beyer said. “I’m confident my experiences have prepared me to lead an already successful UW-Oshkosh program.”
Beyer’s duties at UW-Green Bay also included recruiting, fundraising, instructing camps, coaching first base and monitoring the academic progress of student-athletes.
“Scott will truly make an impact and take the UW-Oshkosh program to a new level,” said UW-Green Bay head coach Jean Rivett. “Scott’s passion for teaching, coaching and the game of softball will greatly benefit his student-athletes.”
Since 2006, Beyer worked as the Director of Operations for Players Choice of the Fox Cities. He gave hundreds of private baseball and softball lessons at the indoor complex in Appleton. This past summer, Beyer coached the Panther Fastpitch U15 softball team to a first-place finish at the U.S. Specialty Sports Association World Series.
“Coach Beyer knows a lot about the game of softball,” said UW Oshkosh infielder Tess Fadness, a member of the Search and Screen Committee. “He definitely has the qualifications and experience to take our program where we want to go.”
Beyer’s family has a strong softball reputation within the state. His wife is former All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) shortstop Laura Van Abel, while his sister-in-law, Maria, is a starting outfielder for the University of Wisconsin.
Beyer received his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 2006. He played one football season for the Blugolds and was also a member of the school’s club baseball team.
Beyer replaces Cindy Suess, who resigned during the summer to become the head girls’ softball coach at Oshkosh North High School. UW Oshkosh, which has achieved 10 straight winning seasons, went 25-11 this past season while finishing third in the WIAC.
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