LINCOLN, Neb. – After a decade shaping the Nebraska Wesleyan University softball program, legendary head coach Mary Yori has announced her retirement at the conclusion of her recently completed tenth season. Coach Yori departs having amassed a remarkable 209-152 record during her tenure with the Prairie Wolves.

Under Coach Yori's leadership, the Prairie Wolves experienced a significant resurgence. Her teams secured the schools first A-R-C Tournament championship, made the programs first two NCAA Tournament appearances, and consistently maintained a competitive edge within the NCAA Division III landscape. Beyond the wins, Coach Yori fostered a culture of academic excellence, with her teams frequently recognized for their high collective GPA, and several student-athletes earning CSC Academic All-District and Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes. Her final season at NWU saw the team finish 32-13 and earn the schools second NCAA Tournament berth.

Yori's career is marked by an unparalleled achievement, leading teams to the NCAA Tournament at three distinct collegiate levels. Before her decade at NWU, Yori spent ten years as the head coach at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where she amassed a record of 276-242 and became the program's all-time winningest coach. During her tenure at CSU, she earned two Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year awards and guided the Rams to the 2003 MWC tournament title, the 2004 regular-season championship, and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2003.

Prior to Colorado State, Yori served as head softball coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) for twelve seasons (1988-99), putting together a dominant winning record of 459-158. She guided the Mavericks to ten consecutive NCAA regional tournament appearances and secured North Central Conference championships in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. She was inducted into the UNO Hall of Fame in 2007 for her coaching accomplishments. Yori began her coaching career as an assistant at her alma mater, Creighton University, where she also played for the Bluejays, earning two All-America honors and gaining induction into the Creighton Hall of Fame in 1992. With a career total of 943 wins, Coach Yori concludes her illustrious career as the 5th most winningest active coach in NCAA Division III and ranks in the top 50 for career wins across all NCAA divisions.

NWU Athletic Director Dwight Merilatt praised Yori's career. "First, I want to congratulate Mary on an amazing career," Merilatt said. "Coaching for more than 40 years, Mary has always kept the student-athlete at the core of her leadership qualities. Mary truly helped to make Nebraska Wesleyan Softball into a highly recognized national Division III program. Her dedication to our student-athletes, athletic department, and university has been tremendous over the last ten years."

Coach Yori reflected on her extensive career, stating, "After nearly 40 years, my career as a collegiate coach has come to a close. My hope as I retire is that NWU softball will continue to successfully grow the positive culture and competitive attitude that players and staff have worked hard to create. It was a joy and privilege to coach so many outstanding young women at NWU and share lifelong memories. I want to thank the NWU athletic administrators I have worked with for their leadership, mentorship and support throughout my past 10 years."

Nebraska Wesleyan will begin a national search for our next head softball coach shortly. Our goal is to identify a leader who will continue to build on the strong foundation Coach Yori has established and guide the Prairie Wolves to continued success."

Coach Yori's Nebraska Wesleyan Season Records:

• 2016: 21-19
• 2017: 18-18
• 2018: 22-18
• 2019: 22-14
• 2020: 8-4 (Season Shortened due to Covid)
• 2021: 16-21
• 2022: 23-16
• 2023: 21-18
• 2024: 26-11
• 2025: 32-13 (NCAA Tournament, A-R-C Tournament Champions)

Overall NWU Record: 209-152