Jan. 11, 2010
DEKALB, Ill. - Amber Patton, one of DePaul's most decorated student-athletes, has joined the Northern Illinois softball coaching staff, NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard announced Monday.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Amber is going to be a wonderful asset, mentor and coach here at NIU," Chouinard said. "Her softball career is a direct reflection of her drive and work ethic. Amber understands what it takes to be successful at our level of play both offensively and defensively, and that makes her an excellent teacher of the game."
A two-time Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, Patton completed her senior season with the Blue Demons in 2009 with a school-record .497 batting average which topped the BIG EAST Conference and was second in the nation. A four-year letterwinner at third base, she holds DePaul's career records in assists (556) and sacrifice hits (58) and the single-season marks in hits (87), batting average, games started (69), games played (69) and at bats (216). Patton earned all-BIG EAST honors all four years, as a first team selection in 2008 and 2009 after being named to the second team in 2006 and 2007.
In addition to her collegiate career, Patton has competed on the professional and international levels. The native of Forsyth, Ill. played for the Chicago Bandits this past summer and competed for USA Softball in the Japan Cup, becoming the only DePaul softball player to compete for USA Softball. On Monday, the Amateur Softball Association named Patton an alternate to the 2010 USA Softball Women's National Team.
Patton also excelled in the classroom. She was a Lowe's Senior Class First Team All-American, a second team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American, a two-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection and was named to DePaul's Dean's List and to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll in all eligible quarters.
NIU is Patton's first coaching position. She joins a Huskie softball program looking to build on a 12-10 record in the Mid-American Conference last season in NIU's second season under Chouinard.
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