Softball head coach Donna J. Papa retires after 38 seasons

North Carolina softball head coach Donna J. Papa retires after 38 seasons with the program.

UNC’s softball head coach [autotag]Donna J. Papa[/autotag] has retired after 38 seasons with the team.

The announcement came Thursday in a press release by the school, followed by social media post thanking Papa for an amazing career. In the press release, Papa shared her gratitude to UNC and what her time as the leader of the softball program has meant to her.

“It has been a great honor and pleasure to have represented the University of North Carolina for the last 38 years,” says Papa. “I am grateful to the administrators who took a chance on me, starting with (Director of Athletics) John Swofford, continuing with Dick Baddour, to Bubba Cunningham and Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz. I have been fortunate to work with so many outstanding coaches, players and people at UNC and throughout my career. I am incredibly grateful to so many, especially my current staff – Chelsey, Fale, Kiwi, Jordan and Preston – who have supported me this season and throughout the years.”

Papa is credited with 1,339 wins as the UNC softball head coach, winning five ACC regular season title’s along with being named Coach of the Year five times. The program achieved new heights under Papa guidance, setting a school record for wins in a single season with 50 in 2008.

As of now there isn’t a replacement yet. However, a national search for the fifth head coach for the softball program has begun.

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