A History of Northwestern University Softball
The Northwestern Wildcats softball team represents Northwestern University as an NCAA Division I college softball program, competing in the Big Ten Conference. Their home games take place at Sharon J. Drysdale Field in Evanston, Illinois. The program's history is marked by periods of growth, success, and consistent competitiveness.
The Early Years
The Northwestern Wildcats softball program was established in 1976. In its inaugural season, the team recorded a 1-6 record under the guidance of coach Mary Conway. Conway's tenure lasted for three years, laying the foundation for future development.
The Sharon J. Drysdale Era (1979-2001)
In 1979, Sharon J. Drysdale took over as head coach, embarking on a 23-season journey that would shape the program's identity. Drysdale's leadership led to 14 winning seasons. By 1984, she guided the team to its first NCAA Championship berth. The Wildcats made two more appearances in the Women's College World Series (WCWS) under Drysdale, achieving a fifth-place finish in 1985 and a sixth-place finish in 1986.
Drysdale's impact extended beyond team success. She was recognized as Big Ten Coach of the Year three times (1984, 1987, and 1995). In 1996, she celebrated her 500th victory with a 4-0 win over Loyola-Chicago. However, Drysdale emphasized that the accomplishments of her players were more significant to her than personal accolades. During her tenure, Northwestern produced five All-Americans, two Big Ten Players of the Year, four Big Ten Freshman of the Year, 31 NFCA All-Mideast Region players, and 36 All-Big Ten honorees.
Lisa Ishikawa, a three-time All-American pitcher, was one of the most decorated players to emerge from the program during Drysdale's leadership. In her freshman year, Ishikawa set a new NCAA record for strikeouts in a single season with 469. That same year, she earned the titles of Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year, Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
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Beyond her coaching duties, Drysdale actively participated in NCAA softball rules interpretation. Her dedication and contributions to the sport were recognized on May 3, 2001, when Anderson Field was renamed Sharon J. Drysdale Field in her honor.
Drysdale's overall record at Northwestern was 640-512-3 across 1,155 games, with five NCAA Tournament appearances. After the 2001 season, she pursued a coaching certification program with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). In 1994 she was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
The Kate Drohan Era (2002-Present)
In 2002, Kate Drohan, who previously served as an assistant coach under Sharon Drysdale, became the head coach. Her twin sister, Caryl Drohan, joined as the associate head coach. Together, the Drohans have continued to build upon the program's foundation.
Under Kate Drohan's leadership, the Wildcats have achieved significant milestones, including five Big Ten Titles (with the past three being consecutive regular-season conference crowns), three Women's College World Series appearances (including one National Championship appearance), seven NCAA Regional Championships, and 17 NCAA Tournament appearances. Individually, her players have garnered 19 All-America nods, five Big Ten Freshman of the Year awards, six Big Ten Player of the Year awards, and five Big Ten Pitcher of the Year accolades. Drohan has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year six times.
Northwestern has advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals seven times under the Drohans and has made three trips to the Women's College World Series - in 2006, 2007 and, most recently, in 2022. Kate Drohan has been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year five times in her career, including three of the past four seasons, which ranks second-most in Big Ten history. The Wildcats have won four Big Ten regular season championships under Drohan, including two consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023.
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Notable Players and Staff
Several individuals associated with the Northwestern softball program have achieved recognition beyond the collegiate level:
- Carri Leto: In 2004, Leto became the first female student-athlete from Northwestern drafted by a professional franchise. She played for the N.Y./N.J. Juggernaut of National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) and the Philadelphia Force, earning three NPF All-Star selections and the league's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2006.
- Caryl Drohan: The current Northwestern Associate Head Coach served as an assistant for the Philadelphia Force in 2006.
- Eileen Canney: Canney was the second overall pick in the 2007 NPF draft and the first pitcher selected.
- Garland Cooper: Cooper was the fourth overall pick in the 2007 NPF draft.
Northwestern has earned 23 All-American honors among 12 different players in the program’s history. The Wildcats have also seen 172 All-Big Ten honorees and 254 Academic All-Big Ten recipients.
Facility Upgrades
Northwestern University’s Big Ten Champion softball program has received a $5 million gift from Northwestern Trustee and former student-athlete Harreld N. “Kip” Kirkpatrick III ’94, ’97 MBA and his wife, Sara Kirkpatrick.
The Kirkpatrick's gift will support the enhancement of the softball program's facilities. Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with completion anticipated by spring 2026. The project aims to create improved spaces for student-athletes, increase seating capacity, and enhance the overall fan experience. The design will feature a team clubhouse with a players’ lounge and new locker rooms.
The playing field within the stadium will retain the name Sharon J.
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Kip Kirkpatrick received a bachelor’s degree in history from Northwestern in 1994 and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management in 1997. He was a three-year starting forward for the Wildcats men’s basketball team and played in the 1994 National Invitation Tournament (NIT). In his senior year, he was nominated for the GTE Academic All-American team.
Sara Kirkpatrick is a former Chicago Public Schools teacher and has spent time serving on several boards related to early childhood education. She is an active member in her community, serving as an athletic booster and a member of the New Trier Parents’ Association in Illinois. She also is a member of Northwestern University’s Women’s Board. The Kirkpatricks have contributed generously toward the renovation of Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena and have supported numerous academic and outreach programs at the University, including at Kellogg, the Bienen School of Music and Weinberg College.
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