Ann Felker becomes the fifth head coach to be inducted into the Marian Hall of Fame after leading Marian to three conference championships and a pair of NCAA Tournament berths over five seasons. Felker coached from 2000-01 and 2004-06 compiling a 112-91 mark, one of only two coaches to reach 100 career wins in program history, and a 51-15 mark in Lake Michigan Conference action. She was named the LMC Coach of the Year in her first two seasons at Marian sparking a run of four-consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.Â
The Sabres earned 22 wins in each of her first two seasons and only dropped one game in conference action both years. Marian also opened the 2001 NCAA Tournament with a 1-0 victory over UW-Stevens Point. Her second stint as a Sabre saw Felker lead Marian to a conference championship, her third LMC title. Then in 2005, the Sabres posted 28 victories, which still remains as the most wins in a single season in program history tied with the 2008 season.
With all of the team success, individual accolades rolled in for the Marian University softball program in her five seasons as well. Felker would have a student-athlete named the LMC Player of the Year all five seasons she was at the helm of the Sabre softball program. She would also have 12 student-athletes earn All-Region honors and a total of 23 student-athletes earn all-conference recognition from the Lake Michigan Conference.
Upon her induction, Felker joins three of her student-athletes in the Marian Hall of Fame in Jessica (Krzewina) Fakes ('07), Bobbi Jo Merten ('15), and Cindy (Berres) Twohig ('13).
"I would like to thank the past and present Marian community for this honor," said Felker. "My time spent coaching at Marian taught me many life lessons I carry with me today. I would personally like to thank all of my assistant coaches, student-athletes, and their families for believing in our process and creating an amazing program."
