Sept. 14, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - Two weeks after being named the eighth Head Softball Coach at the University of Missouri, Ehren Earleywine tabbed former Marist College Head Coach Melissa Tucci his newest assistant.

"We are very fortunate to have Melissa on staff here at the University of Missouri," Earleywine said. "She is a proven winner as a head coach at the Division I level and brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to this program."

The 2006 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Coach of the Year, Tucci's 2006 team claimed the program's first MAAC Championship title and made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in a game against No. 1 Arizona in Tucson, Ariz. For their efforts, Chrystine McHugh was named 2006 MAAC Player of the Year while teammate Megan Rigos earned conference Pitcher of the Year honors. Tucci's 2006 team included five all-conference players and two National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Mid-Atlantic All-Region Players.

"Something that was and is so impressive to me about Melissa, is that she was able to build a very respectable Division I program while also working a full time job and getting her masters degree at the same time," Earleywine said. "Obviously, she is a hard working individual and has a strong passion for the game."

During her time as Head Softball Coach at Marist College, Tucci served as a four-year teaching assistant at Dutchess County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., implementing crisis management policies to produce a structured learning environment while aiding and facilitating academic theories and concepts.

Tucci received both her bachelor's and master's degree from Marist College.

In addition to working with Missouri's outfielder's, Tucci will also be counted on to aid in recruiting and assist with other administrative duties.