Western New England University

Dept of Athletics Western New England Univ
1215 Wilbraham Road Springfield, MA 01119

Division 3 Massachusetts Northeast

Private Small National competitor

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Coaches

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Amanda Novak

Amanda Novak completed her third season as head coach of the Western New England University softball program in 2021.

In 2020, the Golden Bears went 3-3 before the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Western New England picked up wins over Husson, Ursinus, and Mount Mary. Eight student-athletes received Academic All-Conference recognition for having a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3.

Novak led the Golden Bears to a 20-win campaign, including a 9-7 record in CCC play, in her first season as head coach in 2019. Three Golden Bears earned All-CCC accolades, including freshman Jamie Cookingham, who was named the CCC Rookie of the Year. Seven of Novak's student-athletes received Academic All-CCC recognition.

Novak was named head coach of the Western New England softball program in July 2018 after serving as an assistant coach on Lori Mayhew-Wood's staff for seven seasons. As an assistant, Novak played a key role in recruiting and evaluation of potential student-athletes, game and practice planning, and skill development. Novak was also responsible for working with hitters and the defensive game plan for infielders. She helped lead the Golden Bears to CCC Championships in 2015 and 2018.

A native of Cos Cob, Conn., Novak graduated from Springfield College in May 2011 with a bachelor's degree in movement and sports studies. She received her master's degree in physical education with a concentration in athletic administration from Springfield in 2013.

Novak was a four-year starter at first base and as the designated player, helping the Pride reach the championship game of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament her junior and senior seasons.

She made the all-tournament team at the 2009 NCAA Division III New England Regional after belting a clutch two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning to give Springfield a 4-3 victory over Endicott.

Novak hit .299 with seven homers and 28 runs batted in during her final season in helping the Pride to a 26-15 record. She made the All-NEWMAC Second Team and was selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Academic Team.

While at Springfield, she also was a member of the Pride Athletic Advisory Committee (PAAC) and served as a New Student Orientation leader for three years.

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Michelle Wlosek

Michelle Wlosek is in her fourth season as an assistant coach with the Western New England University softball program in 2022.

Wlosek joined head coach Lori Mayhew-Wood's staff full time in the fall of 2017 after coaching high school varsity softball in New Jersey the previous four years.

A 2010 graduate of Springfield College, Wlosek was a standout performer for the Pride softball program. She earned NEWMAC Player of the Year and NFCA All-America honors as a junior, and went on to receive NFCA All-New England and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District accolades following her senior campaign.

Wlosek was a four-year starter at catcher, winning NEWMAC championships as a sophomore and junior. A .438 career hitter, she holds Springfield's all-time home run record with 29. Wlosek was also involved on campus as a New Student Orientation leader, and as a member of Springfield's Pride Athlete Advisory Committee (PAAC), serving as president her senior year.

The Nutley, N.J. native earned her bachelor's degree in Movement and Sports Studies from Springfield College in 2010. She went on to receive her master's degree in Sports Administration from Farleigh Dickinson University in 2014.