Email Coach Abraham: jabraham@whitworth.edu

SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth University has selected Joe Abraham to become the school’s new Softball Coach and Director of Intramurals, according to Whitworth Director of Athletics Dr. Scott McQuilkin. Abraham takes over for Fuzzy Buckenberger, who announced his retirement last September that took effect after yesterday’s final games at Pacific University.

Abraham comes to Whitworth from the Columbus, Ohio area, where he is the founder and head coach of the Buckeye Heat softball travel organization, the largest of its kind in the state of Ohio. He has also been the head coach at Thomas Worthington High School in Powell, Ohio.

“Our search was nationwide and included dozens of applicants, many of whom were terrific candidates,” said McQuilkin. “Our committee found Joe to have a proven record of success and we were impressed by his energy, dedication, organizational skills and teaching ability.”

Abraham, whose primary vocation was attorney-at-law in Powell, Ohio, will become the first full time softball coach at Whitworth and the fourth coach since Whitworth added softball as a varsity sport in 1998. He takes over a team that finished 16-21 this season and had a record of 72-41 in three seasons under Buckenberger, including an NCAA Division III playoff appearance in 2006 and a school record for wins in a season (30) in 2007.

“Whitworth is a great academic school with great people, which happens to have fantastic softball and overall athletic facilities,” said Abraham. “I did a ton of research into Division III colleges and universities and Whitworth had everything I was looking for. I come from Columbus, Ohio, which is a very friendly place and I have found the same quality in Spokane and Whitworth.”

Abraham founded the Buckeye Heat organization in 1999 and it has grown to include 10 teams and over 120 girls. During that time he has coached his 18-U elite team to a record of 405-98 and has mentored dozens of players toward collegiate careers at every level. In addition, Abraham took over as head coach at Thomas Worthington in 2003, a team that had suffered through 13 losing seasons in the previous 15 years and had never won a league title in its 30 year history. But the squad won its first league title in his first season in 2003 and has accumulated three league, and one district, championships in his five years as head coach. His overall record at Thomas Worthington was 83-46, heading into this season.

“The first things I plan to do are to get to know the returning players, make phone calls to incoming players, and to start meeting high school and travel coaches in Washington,” said Abraham. “I will hit the recruiting trail hard this summer. At the same time, I am looking forward to getting settled in at the school and in Spokane. I also can't wait to get to know everyone and to get involved in the Whitworth community.”

“Joe will be a great addition to our staff,” said McQuilkin. “The future is very bright for Whitworth softball.”

As the Director of Intramurals, Abraham will have general oversight of Whitworth’s intramural facilities and equipment, and will work closely with the ASWU I.M. Coordinator to facilitate Whitworth’s active intramural program.