Yellow Jackets hire Jodie Holava as new head Softball coach

DEFIANCE, Ohio—Defiance College Athletics has hired Jodie Holava, formerly of Notre Dame College of Ohio, as the new Yellow Jacket Softball coach.

Holava served as assistant coach for the Falcons this past season, helping Notre Dame to a 10-4 record in the American Mideast Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and a 23-17 mark overall. She also gained valuable experience coaching the North Coast Spirit 18-and-under team of the National Softball Association.

An alumna of Mount Union College, Holava was named All-Ohio Athletic Conference and All-Central Region on a Raider team that won the OAC in 1998.

DC Athletic Director Dick Kaiser spoke of the new Yellow Jacket coach, “Jodie Holava was one of the top players at a regionally-ranked program as an undergraduate. She has since amassed a variety of coaching experiences to prepare her for this opportunity. We are extremely delighted that Jodie has chosen to become part of the Defiance College coaching staff.”

Adding to her credentials, Holava worked as an assistant athletic trainer and adjunct professor at Notre Dame College, while earning her master’s degree in Education, Exercise Physiology from Cleveland State.

“Jodie brings a championship attitude and a variety of softball coaching experiences to the Defiance College softball program,” Kaiser added. “Our players that were involved in the search process are really excited to have her as our new coach.”

Also included in Holava’s experience is a stint at Speed Strength, Inc. of Avon, Ohio, where she developed strength and conditioning programs.

Holava takes over for former DC Softball head coach Kary Kankey, who left DC after two-straight HCAC Tournament Championships and two trips to the NCAA Tournament and is now the head softball coach at Division I Norfolk State University.

“Our softball fortunes have grown significantly during the past five years,” Kaiser finished, “and I believe Jodie Holava has the recruiting and coaching skills to keep our program at its current high level of play.”