Tuesday, June 24, 2014

UIS’ Mundell takes softball post at Evansville

University of Illinois Springfield softball coach Mat Mundell is moving up in the world.

He has resigned to fill the same post at NCAA Division I Evansville

“It is a chance to coach at the highest level and see if we can compete there,” Mundell said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for our family and I to better ourselves. It was a tremendous opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Evansville announced Mundell, 34, as its new coach Friday afternoon. He replaces Mark Redburn, who resigned in May. Redburn had a five-year record of 90-175.

Much has changed in Mundell’s life in recent weeks. He and his wife, Kelly, became first-time parents May 30 with the birth of their daughter, Marlee.

Mundell, a native of Normal, arrived at UIS as a men’s basketball assistant. He coached the softball team for five full seasons and helped usher the Prairie Stars from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to NCAA Division II in 2010. He was interim coach for a portion of the 2009 season and UIS finished 4-27. Since becoming head coach in 2010, he was 113-134.

“It was tough to say goodbye,” he said. We had a great group here.”

Mundell was featured by The State Journal-Register on June 22, 2014.

Read the article online