Syracuse University (NY)

Syracuse University Athletics
Carrier Dome - 900 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13244

Division 1 New York Northeast

Private Large National competitor

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Coaches

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Shannon Doepking

Shannon Doepking was named the fourth head softball coach in program history September 14, 2018. Doepking came to Syracuse following a four-year stint at Dartmouth where she led the Big Green to two Ivy League Championships (2015 & 2018).

Doepking holds a 31-42 record in her two seasons as head coach. In her first season at the helm of the Syracuse program, Doepking led the Orange to a 21-32 record which saw significant improvement on the offensive side of the ball. Doepking and the coaching staff helped the Orange nearly double its home run total from 2018, producing 27 in 2019. The Orange's 73 doubles and 1.38 per game both rank fourth all-time for single season records at Syracuse while the team's 14 triples are the second-best in program history. The Orange's 0.26 triples per game also ranked 32nd nationally. Syracuse also recorded its first series victory against Notre Dame in program history.

The Orange went 10-10 in Doepking's second campaign, which was shortened by the COVID-19 global pandemic. The 2020 season was highlighted by a 3-2 walkoff victory over #20 Texas Tech, the first win for Syracuse over a ranked team since March 26, 2016.

The 2018 Ivy League Coach of the Year, Doepking oversaw the development of two Ivy League Players of the Year (2015,2016), the 2018 Rookie of the Year, 2015 Ivy League Pitcher of the Year, National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region honorees, 21 All-Ivy League selections and four Ivy League All-Academic selections. Doepking placed a strong emphasis on the Big Green's strength of schedule as Dartmouth led the Ivy League in RPI for three of her four season.

Prior to her tenure at Dartmouth, Doepking spent a season at the helm of the Amherst program. She led a significant turnaround in the program with a 21-11 record. Doepking previously served as an assistant coach at Stony Brook where she helped develop a squad that won the American East for the first time in five years. Doepking also served as an assistant coach at Fairleigh Dickinson and Brentwood Academy.

A decorated player herself, Doepking was an All-SEC catcher out of Tennessee. During her playing career she helped the Lady Vols to an impressive 246-46 (.842) record and three consecutive Women’s College World Series appearances including a runner-up finish in 2007.

She continued her playing career after graduation as the 15th overall pick in the 2008 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) draft by the Akron Racers. Doekping had stints with the USSSA Pride and the Tennessee Diamonds before signing with the Chicago Bandits. While with the Bandits, Doepking helped Chicago capture its second NPF title in 2011 where she was named to the All-NPF Team.

Doepking holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Tennessee in addition to a masters of sports administration from Fairleigh Dickinson.

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Sydney O'Hara

Sydney O'Hara, a four-year letterwinner and All-American for the Orange, has returned home. O'Hara joined Syracuse head coach Shannon Doepking's staff as an assistant coach on July 21, 2021. She is responsible for working primarily with the Orange pitchers but assists in all aspects of the program.

O'Hara spent the past three seasons on the sidelines at Binghamton where she worked with the pitchers. She assisted in recruiting, team travel and meals as well as organizing camps. During her time at Binghamton the Bearcats had six America East All-Conference selections and two All-Rookie team honorees. In her first season at Binghamton, one of her pitchers earned All-Tournament Team honors at the 2018 America East Tournament.

Prior to Binghamton, O'Hara was at neighboring LeMoyne College from 2017-18 during which time she worked primarily with the Dolphins' pitching staff and assisted in working with the hitters, recruiting, scouting opponents, scheduling games and running team camps. In 2018, two of the three Dolphins that earned NFHCA All-Region Second Team accolades were pitchers that O'Hara mentored.

O'Hara's name is synonymous with Syracuse Softball and it is plastered across the Orange record book. She holds the career record for saves (12) and ranks in the top-10 in program history in 19 other career categories. O'Hara's .476 batting average as a senior still remains as the single-season record at Syracuse and her six saves that season and five in 2016 rank No. 1 and No. 2 in program history.

O'Hara was a three-time Louisville Slugger/NFHCA All-Region honoree (2014, 2016, 2017) and was named All-America by both Louisville Slugger/NFHCA (third team) and College Sports Madness (first team) as a utility player/pitcher. O'Hara earned first team All-ACC accolades in 2014 and again as a senior in 2017.