CHICAGO – UIC Director of Athletics Jim Schmidt announced on Wednesday (July 6) that Michelle Venturella has stepped down as the head softball coach after eight seasons to take on a similar coaching position at Washington University in St. Louis.

"We are pleased for Michelle that she can move closer to family and continue coaching," said Schmidt. "We thank her for her excellent work in carrying on the great tradition of Championship softball at UIC. She has been a real professional in everything she has accomplished and will be missed."

"I want to thank Jim Schmidt for allowing me the opportunity to coach at UIC for the past eight seasons," Venturella said. "I loved having the chance to work with such great people who are dedicated to helping student-athletes both on and off the field. A special thank you to Denny Wills and Mike Gilmartin for being such great people who continue to work tirelessly for our student-athletes. I would also like to thank the administration, coaches, support staff, alumni, fans and, of course, the UIC Softball team and their families for creating such memorable times here for me and my family. I will truly miss everyone."  

Venturella joined the Flames prior to the 2009 season and coached UIC to a 195-205 record. The three-time Horizon League Coach of the Year acquired four regular season championships, one tournament championship and one NCAA Regional appearance in eight seasons.

During Venturella's career, the Flames garnered several prominent Horizon League accolades -- Player of the Year (1), Pitcher of the Year (3), Freshman of the Year (2), All-League First Team (21), All-League Second Team (11) and All-Freshman Team (10).

In 2016, Venturella guided UIC to its best season in the past decade. The program repeated as the regular season champions for the first time since the 2005-2006 seasons after producing a program-best 18 wins. The Flames' 32-16 regular-season record was the program's best finish since 2005 and the fewest losses since 1999.

Heading into the upcoming season, UIC will have 14 returners, including reigning Pitcher of the Year Elaine Heflin and Freshman of the Year Lexi Watts. The group will be joined by a freshmen class of five with Alyssa Griman, Ria Smith, Jennah Speth, Allie Trudeau and Kayla Wedl.

"With this great recruiting class joining a veteran stellar returning group, our expectations will be the same --championship softball," added Schmidt.

The search for Venturella's replacement will begin immediately. "I'm sure we will have an excellent candidate pool in short time."

UIC Softball has held a tradition of success in 36 seasons of Division I competition while under the direction of program coaches Sandy Abbinanti (1981-82), Ken Surma (1983-89), Mike McGovern (1990-2001), Tom Gray and Sarah O'Malley-Fisher (2002-08), and Venturella (2009-16).

The Flames have posted 15 regular season conference championships, eight tournament championships, nine NCAA Regional appearances and had a storied run into the NCAA Women's College World Series in 1994. Five players earned All-America status, 24 received All-Region accolades and a total of 67 collected All-League honors.