Aug. 27, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 871-5475

MEMPHIS - Former LSU standout All-American catcher Killian Roessner begins her coaching career with the University of Memphis softball program, joining the team as an assistant coach.

"It's what I've always dreamed of doing; I've always wanted to be a coach," Roessner said. "I love working with the pitchers and catchers, and this job just seems like the perfect opportunity."

Memphis head coach Windy Thees said Roessner is the perfect person to complete her staff, and she is thrilled for what she brings to the table.

"We're really excited that Killian's coming to our program," she said. "She brings that youthful excitement that you have when you finish college and are ready to coach. It's something that she's always wanted to do."

A four-year starter with the LSU Tigers (2005-08), Roessner finished her collegiate career batting .288 with 21 home runs, 109 RBI and 64 runs scored. The Manasquan, New Jersey, native started 214 of her 236 games played and holds the school record at LSU for most runners caught stealing and lowest stolen base percentage against.

Roessner was named a 2007 NFCA First-Team All-American after hitting .354 with six home runs and 23 runs scored as a junior. Roessner was named the 2007 Diamond Sports National Catcher of the Year for NCAA Division I catchers. She also ranks fourth in LSU history in sacrifice flies, seventh in doubles, 10th in home runs, 11th in hits and total bases and 12th in RBIs.

As a senior in 2008, Roessner was named the SEC Player of the Week on March 17 after hitting .500 with six RBIs, three doubles and two home runs for a 1.063 slugging percentage. In her final season at LSU, Roessner hit 10 home runs and recorded walk-off two-run homers to defeat Auburn and Pacific. She was named a preseason ESPN first-team All-American and was a member of the USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List heading into the 2008 season.

Roessner spent four seasons (2004-07) as a catcher/designated hitter on the Stratford Brakettes, one of the premiere softball dynasties in the Amateur Softball Association of America's highest division. The summer program out of Stratford, Conn., has won 28 Women's Major Fast Pitch national championships. The team had three alumni and a coach on Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, including Cat Osterman who Roessner caught while playing for the Brakettes.

With the Brakettes, Roessner hit .351 in 147 games played with 10 home runs, 102 RBI and 75 runs scored.

Roessner earned three letters in softball at Lawrenceville Prep School before transferring to Wall High School, where she earned one letter. She was named the 2003 Prep Player of the Year and was a first-team all-state selection for three years.

After catching some of the top pitchers in softball with the Brakettes and LSU, Roessner will work with the pitchers and catchers at Memphis.

"I'm excited to hand over a lot of the pitching responsibilities to her and put my focus more on the entire team," Thees said. "With someone like Killian, I have no problem doing that."