Softball | August 31

DeKALB, Ill.—Northern Illinois University head softball coach Kathryn Gleason has announced the hiring of Tori Grifone as an assistant coach for the Huskies.
 
Grifone comes to NIU from Providence College, where she has served as a Graduate Assistant in the Athletic Department since 2024. In her role, she has supported department operations through team travel coordination, scheduling, expense reporting and student-athlete programming, while serving as a liaison among student-athletes, coaches, campus partners and NCAA offices.
 
Prior to serving as a graduate assistant at Providence, Grifone worked with Frozen Ropes NY in Player Development and Facility Operations, coaching softball players ages 8-14 and providing individualized pitching and hitting instruction. She also assisted with youth camps and daily facility operations.
 
"We are excited to welcome Tori to the NIU Softball Family," said Gleason. "She has been involved throughout her career, in player development, leadership, and administration both on and off the field.  We know she will bring energy and knowledge of the game to lead our pitching staff and help our team achieve our goals in the classroom, on the field and in the community.  We are excited for Tori to get started."  
 
Grifone played collegiately at Providence (2021-2026), finishing her career among the Friars' top three all-time in strikeouts with 450. She earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors in 2025 after leading Providence with 10 wins, 115.2 innings pitched and 67 strikeouts, while also earning BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honors. Her best season came in 2022, when she posted a team-best 2.56 ERA with 176 strikeouts over 134 innings and earned BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honors once and Weekly Honor Roll recognition twice. Grifone also earned BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll recognition in 2021 and 2024 and helped Providence earn its first BIG EAST Championship berth since 2019 in 2025.
 
Grifone graduated from Providence with a bachelor's degree in Health, Policy and Management (2024) and a master's degree in Business Administration and certificate in Sports Management (2026).
 
"I am beyond thrilled and grateful to join the Northern Illinois softball program and become a part of the Huskie family!," said Grifone. "I'm excited to join the family-oriented culture and help our program reach its full potential on and off the field. My passion for softball and inspiring the next generation of student-athletes, alongside the coaching staff, will help us all strive towards competing for championships.  Many thanks to Coach Gleason, Coach Pasquale, and the administration at NIU for this wonderful opportunity and continued support!"
 
NIU finished the 2026 season with a record of 25-18. The Huskies recorded their most conference wins since 2000, broke two school records, tied another record and made their mark in NCAA history.
 
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