Tulsa Promotes Crissy Strimple to Head Softball Coach

The University of Tulsa has named former Golden Hurricane slugger Crissy Strimple as the school’s sixth head softball coach, Vice President and Director of Athletics Derrick Gragg announced recently. Strimple has spent 14 seasons in the Tulsa dugout as a player and coach, including the last eight seasons as the associate head coach.
During her time with the Golden Hurricane, TU student-athletes earned 64 all-conference honors, 29 NFCA All-Region laurels and six NFCA All-America awards. The program amassed 464 wins, five regular-season conference titles, six conference tournament crowns and 10 NCAA Regional appearances.
“It is an honor to accept the position of head softball coach at The University of Tulsa,” Strimple said. “Sincere and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gragg and Crista Troester for trusting me with this opportunity. Coaching the Golden Hurricane has been a dream of mine since I played here in 2003. The university and City of Tulsa hold a special place in my heart and to represent both is an honor.
“Many thanks to John Bargfeldt, my mentor and friend for life, for his guidance over the last 12 seasons. Coaching under John, I have learned so much about the game and how to do things the right way. His influence on Tulsa softball will endure for a long time to come. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. I am excited to assume my new role and, with the help of my coaching staff and student-athletes, I look forward to continuing and building upon our winning tradition.”
“As a 12-year assistant who has helped build the TU softball program both as a coach and student-athlete, Crissy is the ideal person to take over as head coach,” Gragg said. “She has demonstrated an outstanding ability in all aspects needed to be a successful head coach at the highest level of collegiate softball. Crissy’s attributes in coaching and recruiting, as well as her loyalty, work ethic and commitment to her Alma Mater make her the perfect fit in continuing the success of Tulsa softball.”
“Crissy has been a loyal and great assistant for me for a number of years and I am very excited that she is getting this well-deserved opportunity,” former TU head coach Bargfeldt said, adding “I always thought of Crissy as the heir-apparent with the way she has been so loyal to the university and to me. I am confident that she will continue to give the program nothing but her utmost effort and dedication. I wish her nothing but the very best in her new role.”
Strimple graduated from TU in 2003 with a degree in exercise sports science before she earned her master’s degree in education with emphasis on sports administration from Arkansas in 2006