Drury University

Chantiel Wilson, who led Abilene Christian to four NCAA-II Tournament appearances in seven years, has been named the new head softball coach at Drury University.

Wilson, 33, will begin her new position with the Panthers on June 8. She takes over a DU program that will be entering its fourth season of existence, and one coming off a 22-30 record that included a 12-13 mark in Great Lakes Valley Conference play this past spring under former coach Annie Medico.

"I am honored to be named the head softball coach at Drury University," Wilson said. "Drury's athletic programs have a fine tradition of success both competitively and academically, and I am excited to get the opportunity to continue to build on the foundation of the softball program.

"I am extremely thankful to the Drury administration for this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to joining a supportive staff and community."

Wilson, who posted an overall record of 216-168 in her seven seasons at Abilene Christian, was named the Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year in 2005, 2008 and 2009 and led the Wildcats to LSC South Division titles in 2008 and '09. Her 2009 ACU squad set a school record for victories in a 43-15 campaign, one of two 40-win seasons she had with the Wildcats. Abliene went 42-19 in 2006, giving Wilson the two most productive seasons in the program's 14-year history.

Abilene Christian qualified for the NCAA-II regionals under Wilson's guidance in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009.

"We are very proud to have a person of Chantiel's caliber accept our softball position," Drury Director of Athletics Pat Atwell said. "Her winning background at the Division II level was a key component to her going to the top of a strong list of candidates. To hire a coach who has taken her team to four NCAA regionals, two Lone Star championships and has been honored as the Coach of the Year three times since 2005 is very exciting to us.

"With our program still being very young in its existence, Chantiel's experience and leadership should help us push toward the upper echelon of the Great Lakes Valley Conference."

Wilson was a former star shortstop at Abilene Christian in the late 1990s, earning the league's Most Valuable Player honor in 1996 and Academic All-America status in 1998. She is a native of Morgan Hill, California, and will bring strong recruiting ties in both the states of California and Texas - a pair of softball hotbeds - to DU. Wilson received her Masters in Education from National University after earning her undergraduate degree, with honors, in Interdisciplinary Studies from Abilene Christian.

Wilson and husband Casey have twin 6-year-old sons, Hayden and Tanner.