Linday Schutzler returns to UT as director of softball operations

The Tennessee softball program welcomes back one of its finest in 2007 alum Lindsay Schutzler, who joins the Lady Vols' staff as the new director of softball operations.

"We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to hire a person of Lindsay Schutzler's caliber," Co-head coach Ralph Weekly said.

Schutzler donned the Orange and White from 2004-07 and was one of the most accomplished players in Tennessee softball history both on and off the field, earning Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America Honors in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American of the Year accolades in 2006 and 2007. She also earned a gold medal as a member of the USA Softball team at the 2006 World University Games in Taiwan.

Schutzler recently worked at Ohio State University an academic counselor in athletics. The Monterey, Calif., native earned her masters degree in Education in Student Affairs from UCLA in 2009. She graduated from Tennessee with a bachelor of arts in psychology.

"She had a strong background in academics at Tennessee, UCLA and Ohio State, and her stellar performance on the field during her time at Tennessee speaks for itself," Ralph Weekly added. "Lindsay is truly one of the greatest athletes that Karen and I have ever coached at this or any other level."

With a long list of career accolades, Schutzler returns to Knoxville as one of the most decorated Lady Vols' in team history.

"I am excited to be back in Knoxville with the Lady Vol Softball family," Schutzler said. "I am looking forward to a great year!"

Schutzler concluded her outstanding Tennessee career as the program's all-time leader in hits (362), triples (20), runs (241), stolen bases (120), games played (296), games started (294) and at-bats (946) She also owns the program's single-season record for triples (eight) and at bats (270). She was arguably UT's most productive offensive player as she is the only Lady Vol to surpass 300 hits, 200 runs, 150 RBI, 100 walks and 100 stolen bases in a career.

According to career statistics entering the 2012 softball season, Schutzler ranks as one of the all-time great hitters in the history of NCAA collegiate softball (all divisions). She holds the single-season record for at-bats in all divisions with her mark of 270 from the 2005 season. Her 107 hits in 2005 rank 11th in NCAA Division I history and 18th among all divisions.

Schutzler's 296 career games played are the second-most in NCAA history among all divisions. She ranks fifth all-time in the NCAA with 946 career at-bats. Her 362 career hits are seventh-most in NCAA Division I history and 12th-most among all NCAA schools.

Schutzler and former teammates Monica Abbott and Tonya Callahan are the only three players in UT history to earn NFCA All-America honors for three seasons or more. Following her UT career, she was drafted by the Chicago Bandits in 2007 with the first overall selection.

Lindsay Schutzler's Player Accomplishments

USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List 2006, 2007

USA Softball Player of the Year Top 25 Finalist 2007

USA Softball Player of the Year Top 11 Finalist 2007

Drafted by the Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch 2007 (First Overall Selection)

Louisville Slugger/NFCA First-Team All-American 2006

Louisville Slugger/NFCA Second-Team All-American 2005, 2007

ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American of the Year (Univ. Div.) 2006, 2007

First-Team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American 2005, 2006, 2007

First-Team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District IV 2005, 2006, 2007

SEC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year 2007

Louisville Slugger/NFCA First-Team All-South Region 2006, 2007

Louisville Slugger/NFCA Second-Team All-South Region 2005

First-Team All-SEC 2006, 2007

Second-Team All-SEC 2005

Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Top 10 Finalist 2007

All-Tourney, Women's College World Series 2007

USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week 2006 (2/21)Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week 2006 (2/22)

NFCA Scholar-Athlete Team 2005

SEC Spring Honor Roll 2006, 2007

Academic All-SEC 2004, 2005

All-SEC Tournament 2004, 2006, 2007

SEC Player of the Week 2005 (2/28); 2006 (2/20); 2007 (4/2)

Most Valuable Player, Lady Vol Classic 2004

All-Tourney, Carolina Classic 2007

All-Tourney, Georgia Southern Invitational 2005

All-Tourney, Charleston Southern Invitational 2005

All-Tourney, Paradise Classic 2004

USA Softball Team Selection Camp Participant 2006, 2007

Player on USA Softball World University Games Team - Gold (Taiwan - Summer '06)

Selected to USA Softball National Elite Team 2005 (Canada Cup - Silver and International Cup - Gold)

Selected to USA Softball National Team Camp (5/5/05, 8/12/05)