The Muskingum University Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Laina (Walker) Connor ’16 as Muskingum Softball Head Coach.
Connor returns to New Concord after serving the past three seasons as the head softball coach at Juniata College in Pennsylvania.
Laina (Walker) Connor ’16
The team set several top 10 program records, multiple student-athletes earned all-conference accolades, and two Eagles were named National Strength and Conditioning All-Americans.
“It brings me great joy to see Laina take over the reins as our next softball coach,” said Muskingum Director of Athletics Kari Winters. “I am looking forward to watching her leave her legacy on our program from recruitment through graduation of our young women. Her passion for this program and appreciation for the institution will shine in all aspects of her tenure, and we are excited to bring Laina back home!”
Before her time at Juniata, Connor served as an assistant coach for the Denison University softball program. Connor planned and managed the daily pitching/catching workouts, oversaw all recruiting aspects, organized youth camps, and clinics, and conducted academic meetings with student-athletes. “Muskingum is home, and I am ecstatic to return,” said Connor. “I want to thank President [Susan S.] Hasseler and Director of Athletics Kari Winters for this opportunity to lead and mentor the Muskingum softball program. Muskingum University and Muskie softball impacted my life as a college student, and now I look forward to this opportunity to guide other young women to find confidence and strength in who they are. My goal is to prepare every player to become winners in life as well as on the diamond. It is time to begin the next chapter in the long legacy of Muskingum softball.”Before her time at Denison, Connor was a graduate assistant at Westminster College in Pennsylvania. Connor helped guide Westminster to the Presidents Athletic Conference Tournament championship game and aided in the development of four all-conference student-athletes and one all-region honoree.Connor was a four-year member and team captain for the Muskingum softball team during her collegiate career. She helped lead the Muskies to their 19th Ohio Athletic Conference Championship and to the NCAA Regional final in 2014.
Kari Winters ’08 led the Muskingum Softball program since 2011 and was announced as Muskingum Director of Athletics in March 2022.Connor graduated from Muskingum in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in business management and marketing. She completed her Master of Education from Westminster College in 2018.
