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Gannon University

109 University Square Erie, PA 16541
Division 2 Pennsylvania Northeast
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Michelle Wiley

Wiley begins her first season as Gannon’s softball head coach and eighth as a member of the softball coaching staff in 2019. Wiley is no stranger to the Gannon softball program, serving as the pitching coach for the last seven years. Her staff last year helped the Lady Knights win their second consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division title and first-ever PSAC Tournament championship while advancing to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen.


In addition to her softball resume, Wiley brings a variety of talents to the Gannon athletics department and will also serve as the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development.


"I am excited to announce Michelle as our next head softball coach," said Goddard McGuirk upon the hiring announcement. "Michelle is an exceptional coach on multiple levels and committed to the student-athlete experience. She will do a tremendous job continuing the positive momentum and building upon the foundation in which Tom had established."


Wiley's pitchers ranked third among PSAC staffs in earned run average (2.32) and fifth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.87) during last season's championship run. The Lady Knights' team ERA finished 34th among all NCAA Division II programs. Sophomore Madi Beining (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny), junior Kellyn Perich (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) and freshman Kennedy DeMatteis (Boyers, Pa./Moniteau) received conference pitcher of the week honors four times. In addition to being named PSAC Western Division Pitcher of the Year, Beining also secured spots on the All-PSAC Western Division first team and NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) All-Atlantic Region second team.


"I am honored and humbled to be named the next head softball coach at Gannon," said Wiley upon being elevated to the head coaching position. "I was fortunate to work under Coach Jake who was a great mentor and role model. I am extremely excited for the future of our program. We have an amazing group of young ladies who excel both on and off the field. I am looking forward for them to arrive on campus and start our fall season."


Wiley has tutored numerous all-conference pitchers during her tenure as pitching coach, including PSAC Western Division Pitcher of the Year Olivia Gumbita (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) in 2017. Gumbita finished her career fifth all-time at Gannon in strikeouts (483), seventh in innings pitched (513) and eighth in victories (50). She went 16-6 with a 1.86 earned run average and 151 strikeouts as a senior.


Her 2017 pitching staff led the conference in fewest earned runs allowed (87). The Lady Knights ranked second among all PSAC teams and 27th nationally in ERA (2.09). Only two conference staffs had more than Gannon's seven shutouts.


Another heralded pupil was 2015 PSAC Western Division Athlete of the Year Jess Rectenwald (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills). The four-year starter graduated ninth all-time at Gannon in victories (32) and 11th in strikeouts (213). She limited the opposition to a .268 average in 347 career innings.


During Wiley's first season in 2012, the Gannon pitching staff ranked third among PSAC programs in strikeouts (286) and fifth in ERA (2.28). All three Gannon pitchers produced a 2.57 ERA or lower. The trio also combined to record a league-best six saves.


All-PSAC first-team selection Megan Dragon anchored the staff during Wiley's first two seasons. Dragon led the conference and ranked 19th nationally in saves (3) during the 2012 campaign. She finished second among PSAC pitchers in strikeouts (187), sixth in ERA (2.08), sixth in games started (25), sixth in shutouts (5), sixth in complete games (17), seventh in innings pitched (158), seventh in appearances (30) and ninth in victories (13).


Wiley previously served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Springfield (Mass.) for two seasons (1999-00). She was instrumental in practice, recruiting and planning. In 2000, she was a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) New England Region Co-Coaching Staff of the Year.


Prior to her stay at Springfield, Wiley helped run the Renegades Summer Softball Camp from 1993 to 1996. The camp included pitching and position drills.


Wiley was a tremendous pitcher during her playing days at Washington and Jefferson (Pa.) College, being named to the all-conference first team four times and selected Conference Pitcher MVP three times. Among her collegiate accolades were all-region second-team and All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) East Region honorable-mention honors as a sophomore. She led NCAA Division III in victories (24) that season as W&J won the conference championship. A two-year team captain and four-year starter, Wiley was inducted into the Washington & Jefferson Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.


The Erie, Pa., native played for the Renegades Fastpitch Traveling Softball Team for eight seasons (1993-00). The Renegades won seven consecutive league championships during her time with the team. She was also named NSA World Series Tournament MVP in 1996.


In addition to her coaching duties, Wiley has also been guiding Gannon's students in their academic endeavors during the last seven years when she served as Gannon's General Studies Coordinator as well as the Director of Gannon's Academic Advising Center. Wiley worked with a diverse group of students that include freshmen, upperclassmen and student-athletes. She began her Gannon career as an academic advisor in 2005.


Wiley started her professional career in athletics as the Athletic Counselor at Springfield (Mass.) College (1998-00). She then served as the Life Skills Intern at the University of Florida (2000-01), before moving to the University of Central Florida. Wiley spent time as the Tutor and Study Session Coordinator, an adjunct professor and the academic/athletic advisor at UCF.


Wiley resides in Erie with her husband Tim and daughter Mikala (2).

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Joe Dolak

Dolak begins his 10th season as a member of the Gannon softball coaching staff in 2019. The former Gannon baseball player came back to the University with previous coaching experience at the college and high school levels. He was an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Penn State Behrend for six seasons, helping guide the Nittany Lions to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. At Behrend, he worked primarily with the outfielders and hitters.


Dolak has high school coaching experience at two local schools. He was the junior varsity head coach while serving as a varsity assistant coach for seven years at Villa Maria (Pa.) Academy. The Victors made two District 10 appearances during his tenure.


At Mercyhurst Prep (Pa.) High School, Dolak was the junior varsity head coach and assistant at the varsity level for one season. The Lakers won the District 10 championship during his only season at the school.


Dolak is no stranger to Gannon. The 1983 Tech Memorial (Pa.) High School graduate played baseball at Gannon for two years under legendary head coach Ivan George. He was a four-year letterwinner at Tech Memorial prior to arriving at Gannon.

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