July 17, 2001
Notre Dame head softball coach Deanna Gumpf has announced the completion of the Irish coaching staff for the 2001-02 school year. Charmelle Green, most recently an assistant coach at Syracuse, and former Irish catcher Kris McCleary have joined Gumpf’s staff.
Green completed her second season as the top aide to Syracuse head coach Mary Jo Firnbach in 2001. Prior to her stint with the Orangewomen, Green was an assistant at Colorado State for the 1998-99 season. Her responsibilities with the Irish will include hitting, recruiting and the development of the infielders and outfielders.
“Charmelle brings a number of outstanding qualities to our program,” says Gumpf.
“Her passion for softball and knowledge of the game will be a great addition to the staff.”
Green graduated from the University of Utah in 1991 with a degree in mass communication and an emphasis in public relations after one of the most prolific softball careers in Western Athletic Conference history. She led the Utes to WAC titles in 1990 and 1991 while earning first-team All-America honors as a junior and second-team accolades as a senior. She also was named WAC Player of the Year and University of Utah Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year in ’91. Green was nominated as Utah’s Female Athlete of the Century in 1997 was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame in 1998.
Prior to her collegiate coaching career, Green was the recreation program coordinator for the Salt Lake County Recreation Department in Salt Lake City, Utah. She organized adult and youth programs for the city and county while also coaching softball at West High School in Salt Lake City for two seasons. Green has worked as a residential social worker for the New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service in Christchurch, New Zealand, and served as an assistant director for the National Conference in Salt Lake City.
McCleary was drafted by the Virginia Roadsters of the Women’s Professional Softball League following her Notre Dame career in ’99, but the former Irish MVP and team captain chose to continue her softball career as an assistant coach at UNLV in 2000 and 2001. With the Irish, she will work directly with the catchers, while also helping out with the team’s hitting instruction and infielders.
“We are very proud to add Kris to our program because she is bringing a big piece of Notre Dame back with her,” says Gumpf.
“She will be a huge benefit to our battery and the development of our hitters.”
McCleary completed her Notre Dame playing career by earning all-BIG EAST and all-Mideast Region honors in 1999. She hit a career-high seven home runs her final season while throwing out 16 runners from behind the plate. Born March 21, 1977, in Akron, Ohio, McCleary earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Notre Dame in 1999.