Newman, whose playing career at Drake ended with the 2019 season, will take on the title of graduate manager with the Golden Gophers.
At her career’s end, Newman held a number of Drake program records, including the Bulldogs’ career marks in strikeouts and wins. She also holds the Missouri Valley Conference record for career strikeouts, with more than 1,200 punchouts to her credit. During the 2019 season, Newman led the NCAA in strikeouts and three other statistical categories.
A three-time Missouri Valley Pitcher of the Year, Newman earned a quartet of all-conference first-team honors during her career and was the inaugural First Team All-American in program history. Ironically, her collegiate playing career ended at Jane Sage Cowles field in Minneapolis, during the regional round of the 2019 NCAA tournament.
Also included in the Golden Gophers’ press release announcing Newman’s hiring was a note that volunteer assistant coach Alyssa Reina and graduate manager Michael Lewis will swap roles for the 2020 season, with Lewis assuming the volunteer job and Reina taking on the manager’s role.
