By: Seth Stogsdill, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications
DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre softball coach
Tori Brown has been named Assistant Athletic Director for Development within the
Centre athletics department, it was announced today.
Brown emerged as the successful candidate following a national search, and will transition from her role as head coach of the
Centre softball program after serving in that position for six seasons. Brown also served as a member of the Centre Athletics External Relations Committee with an emphasis on Community Service, and oversaw Centre's relationship with the local chapter of the Special Olympics, helping put together flag football tournaments for Special Olympians.
"It's an extremely bittersweet moment, having a great opportunity to step into while also moving out of coaching overall," said Brown. "I'm excited to have the chance to contribute to the athletic department in a new way and continue to work in a place that I have loved and call home. I want to make sure I thank our Centre athletic administration and my family for their constant support and a big thank you to my softball family who has allowed me to be their leader and coach for the last six years."
In her new role, Brown will oversee and expand Centre's athletic department corporate partner program, managing a portfolio of current partners that help the Colonels as well as prospects to join the team. She'll also work with the Gold & White's head coaches alongside department heads to oversee fundraising for capital projects, team trips, equipment and other program needs.
"Tori has already been a strong voice in our department's external relations, community engagement, and event arenas during her tenure as a head coach and we're excited for her to transition to a role where she can have more direct influence and ownership in those areas," said deputy athletic director
Aly Lilley. "We are excited about the impact Tori's drive, dedication, and passion will make on our entire Centre community."
Brown joined the Centre staff in the summer of 2017 and coached 22 players who earned All-Conference recognition from the Southern Athletic Association. In addition, Brown's players appeared on the SAA Academic Honor Roll 65 times during her tenure. In her final season as coach in 2023, Brown led the Colonels to a third place finish in the SAA, the best mark for Centre softball in the conference standings since the inception of the league. Five players from the 2023 squad were All-SAA honorees, and the Colonels' three First Team winners were the most in a season for the program since 2008.
Brown spent the previous four seasons as the assistant coach at Ohio Wesleyan University. During that time, she helped the Battling Bishops make North Coast Athletic Conference tournament appearances in 2014 and 2016. As an outfield coach for the Battling Bishops, OWU posted a .973 fielding percentage with Brown at the helm. Brown also spent time as a hitting coach and Ohio Wesleyan batted .310 as a team during that span.
A Cincinnati native, Brown is a 2013 graduate of Valparaiso University in Indiana, where she was a National
Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athlete all four years and helped the Crusaders win Horizon League championships in 2012 and 2013. Brown is a member of the most decorated senior class in Valparaiso softball history.
