Softball | 7/29/2015 4:20:00 PM

WICHITA – Janice Esses has been named the Head Softball Coach at Newman University, announced by NU Athletic Director Vic Trilli. Esses comes to NU from Bethany College, where she amassed 364 wins in 14 seasons as the head coach.
 
"Janice Esses is the perfect fit for the Newman softball program and Newman University," Trilli said. "She brings a wealth of experience and had great success at Bethany College. Janice is a proven winner, and she will continue to keep the softball program going in a positive direction. I'm very excited to have a coach of her caliber to lead the softball program."
 
Esses led the Swedes from 2002 to 2015, totaling an overall record of 364-298. Esses has totaled nine seasons of 25 or more wins. She won three KCAC championships in 2003, 2011 and 2012. Bethany College also won the KCAC Tournament Championship twice under Esses in 2003 and 2012. She is a two-time KCAC Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012. . In 2013, Esses was selected as the Bethany College Alumni Coach of the Year. Esses coached 110 KCAC All-Conference selections, five All-Region selections and one NAIA All-American honorable mention. During her time at Bethany, Esses had two KCAC Players of the Year, two KCAC Pitchers of the Year and one KCAC Newcomer of the Year.
 
During her career at Bethany, the Swedes made the NAIA National Tournament twice and hold the NAIA National Tournament record for most stolen bases in a game with 10.
 
"I'm excited to be here for this opportunity at Newman University," Esses said. "Newman is a good transition and has similar and strong values like Bethany College. The Newman staff is very supportive and I look forward to this opportunity."
 
The most successful season under Esses was 2012 when the Swedes went 45-9, winning both the conference regular season and tournament champions and advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in school history. The team ranked No. 25 in the NAIA postseason rankings.
 
To start the 2013 season, the Swedes ranked No. 23 in the Preseason NAIA Top 25 and repeated as a National Tournament qualifier. Bethany finished with a 31-18 record. The Swedes won 30 or more games in their last four seasons, averaging 34.5 victories per season.
 
In the classroom, Esses totaled 38 NAIA All-Scholar Athletes and one CoSIDA Academic All-District player. In 2008 and 2009, Bethany led the NAIA with the most Scholar Athletes. The 2015 team was recognized as an NAIA All-Scholar Team.
 
Esses played collegiate softball and basketball at Bethany College. In 2000 and 2001, she was named All-KCAC First Team as a catcher and was selected as the team's MVP her season senior season. Esses earned a bachelor degree in biology from Bethany College.
 
Esses officially begins July 29, 2015.