Congratulations to New Colorado State University Softball Coach Michelle Gascoigne

Michelle Gascoigne is going from the Wildcats to the Rams. Michelle is the new head coach for the Rams softball team.

I have known Michelle since she played for the Chicago Bandits in 2014. Prior to that, I remember watching her pitch for the University of Oklahoma. She was a key pitcher as the Bandits won the National Pro Fastpitch championship in 2015. She began her coaching career as a grad assistant at Oklahoma in 2014, before joining Northwestern in late 2015. She has been with the Cats since then.

Michelle was always great for a quick picture, chat or interview. It's bittersweet, as I am happy to see Michelle get a head coaching position, but I am sad to see her leave NU and the Chicago area. 

I thank Michelle for her kindness over the years, as well as all she did on and off the field. She is a champ and I wish her much success at Colorado State. I'll be following her career there and hopefully see her again sometime. 

Go to csurams.com for more info. Also, check back here for my coverage.

Michelle Gascoigne and me in Evanston, IL-May 2022.

Player Turned Coach Michelle Gascoigne

The player turned coach of the day is Michelle Gascoigne. A star pitcher at the University of Oklahoma, Gascoigne is currently the pitching coach with Northwestern University.

Michelle had an outstanding career at Oklahoma. She was 49-7 record with a 1.65 ERA and 507 strikeouts in 378.0 innings pitched. She held opponents to a measly .189 batting average.

Upon leaving Oklahoma, Michelle played professional softball with the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits in 2013. An All-NPF selection in 2013 and 2014, Michelle helped lead the Bandits to two Cowles Cup titles in 2015 and 2016.

Starting her coaching journey while still playing pro ball, Michelle was a grad assistant at Oklahoma in 2014 and 2015. Michelle joined the Northwestern staff in 2016 and has been there since. He husband Tony Smith is also on the staff.

I get to see Michelle and the Wildcats several times every season. While they usually play in Evanston, about 15 minutes away, this season, they will play in Rosemont, just a bit farther in the other direction. Still, I will see the team several times as usual.

Like the others I have featured in this series, Michelle has always been great to me. I have interviewed her several times, but even in simple chats around the stadium, she is always gracious and great to see. The same can be said for Coach Tony, too!

For more info on Coach Michelle and the Wildcats, go to nusports.com. This concludes my player turned coach series...for now.

Michele Gascoigne and me in Evanston, IL-Spring 2017.

Northwestern Coach Michelle Gascoigne

Yesterday, I featured Northwestern assistant coach Tony Smith. Today, I turn my attention to Tony's wife Michelle Gascoigne who is also an assistant coach at NU.

A star on the mound at the University of Oklahoma, Michelle threw a shutout to secure a national title for OU. After graduating from OU, Michelle embarked on a pro softball career with the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. That's where I first met and interviewed Michelle. That's also where Michelle won two league championships. Michelle just finished her 11th season with the Wildcats.

It's amazing how quickly time flies. Twelve years ago, I watched Michelle pitching for the Sooners. Then I actually met her and got to know her a bit. Now, it's fun seeing Michelle at NU games. It's like seeing an old friend every time.

Michelle has done a great job with the young pitchers. Obviously, I don't know what Mchelle's career goals are, but I hope she stays at NU for a long time.

For more info on Michelle and the Wildcats, go to nusports.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Michelle Gascoigne and me in Evanston, IL-April 2025.

Tailgating With Michelle Gascoigne and Danielle Zymkowitz at the Ballpark in Rosemont

The National Pro Fastpitch championship series is in Rosemont starting August 15. As a best of five series, games will be played Thursday through Saturday, with games on Sunday and Monday if needed. While it isn't a lock yet, the Bandits should be in the series.

In addition to the great softball action, there is a huge pre-game tail gate event each day. There will be entertainment, food, fun and even some former Chicago Bandits hanging out.

Last year, I ran into Michelle Gascoigne and Danielle Zymkowitz, two of my favorite former Bandits and two of my favorite college coaches.

A star pitcher at Oklahoma, Gascoigne joined the Bandits in 2013. She was a major part of two Cowles Cup championships during her time in Rosemont. She has been the pitching coach for the Northwestern Wildcats since September 2015.

Infielder Zymkowitz starred at the University of Illinois, before joining the Chicago Bandits in 2011. Z helped the Bandits to three Cowles Cup championships before retiring. She has been an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin for two years.

People always ask me who my favorite Bandits are. That's a really tough questions, but Michelle and Danielle are certainly in that discussion for me. They were true competitors, real ball players. They were great with the fans, too. These two young ladies were elite athletes and class individuals. I still follow them in their coaching endeavors and I see Michelle at every NU game.

I have no inside info if these two will be at any of the championship series games. My best guess is they will be there sometime. I am sure other former Bandits will also be around. It's just one more reason to get out to the games and cheer on your Bandits!

Go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info on the playoffs and the tail gate party. Also check ProFastpitch.com for more info on the league.

Michelle Gascoigne, Danielle Zymkowitz and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

Friend Encounters: Emily Allard, Megan Blank, Michelle Gascoigne, Sammy Marshall and Chris Bejcek

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

This is a big group Friend Encounters. It is fitting as it is right in the middle of the Chicago Bandits season.
It represents great times for my bud Chris Bejcek and also for me. Chris is surrounded by former outfielder Emily Allard, former infielder Megan Blank, former pitcher Michelle Gascoigne and former Bandits player Sammy Marshall. Now, just three years after this picture, all four ladies are either retired or playing elsewhere. That's just life in the NPF.
Emily was forced into retirement due to concussion issues. She is doing great, running BeTheMomentumSoftball.com and clinics all over.
Megan retired after last season. She has done coaching clinics and I think coachinbg somewhere is in her future.
Michelle was coaching in the collegiate ranks while playing. She is currently the pitching coach at Northwestern, who had a fantastic 2019 season. Check out the Cats at NUSports.com.
Sammy is a local athlete who starred at Western Illinois before becoming a star with the Bandits. In the last offseason, she was traded to Cleveland. It was a tough loss, Sammy is doing fine and also has a bright future in coaching.
Meanwhile, there is Chris, a music junkie. Aside from his passion for the Bandits, Chris is a big time concert goer. His musical love seems to span the spectrum. If you don't see him at a Bandits game, chances are he is at some concert.
These five represent great people I have met and befriended through the Bandits. Bandit Nation isn't just a name for the fan group. Bandit Nation is a community of people who come together for our love of softball, but who have developed friendships outside of the ballpark.
I have seen each of these ladies since their departures from the Bandits and it is like sweeing an old friend. You can't emotionally invest in the team, without being attached to the players. Likewise, they become attached to the loyal fans who have supported them.
There is still plenty of softball action left in the season. I encourage everyone to get in on the fun. Go to ChicagoBandits.com to get all of the info and scheduling.

Emily Allard, Megan Blank, Chris Bejcek, Michelle Gascoigne and Sammy Marshall in Rosemont, IL-April 2016.

Friendly Encounters: Michelle Gascoigne and Sheri Samson

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Sheri Samson is one of the biggest fans of the Chicago Bandits and has been for years. For Sheri, there are only two seasons in the year: Bandits season and the offseason. If the Bandits are home, she will be found behind home plate. If they are away, she can be found watching them on NPF-TV. If they aren't playing, she is probably bored (unless she is watching videos of old Bandits games).

She is a cancer survivor and a total sweetheart. Her and her husband Richard welcomed me into Bandits Nation and are always there with a friendly smile and good softball talk. I always look forward to seeing them.

Former pitcher Michelle Gascoigne is currently the pitching coach for the Northwestern Wildcats. She is also an occasional guest back at her old stomping grounds in Rosemont. Michelle was on the first Bandits team I covered and I still see her at the Wildcats games. It's always good seeing Michelle.

The picture of Sheri and Michelle represent a lot of Bandits history. Fans like Sheri make the game fun and make Bandit Nation the best fan group in all of sports. Players like Michelle are why we love the team. She was tough, gritty, successful and very fan-friendly.

I have totally enjoyed the wonderful 5 seasons I have spent around the Bandits. Michelle and Sheri have been responsible for many fun moments and I am proud to call them friends.

Michelle Gascoigne and Sheri Samson in Rosemont, IL-June 2018.

Good Bye, Good Luck and Thank You Michelle Gascoigne

Michelle Gascoigne had an outstanding career at Oklahoma, going 49-7 record with a 1.65 ERA.  She threw a perfect game, along with setting records and receiving awards and achievements.  This lead to her being drafted by the Bandits seventh overall in the 2013 NPF draft.

Gascoigne went on to have a solid career with the Bandits.  She was a fierce compeitor on the mound and a lovable fan favorite off the mound.  She was a big part of the pitching staff that lead the team to two straight NPF titles.

While playing with the Bandits, she started her coaching career.  First she was a Graduate Manager at Oklahoma, then an assistant coach at Northwestern, a position she still holds.  She has a bright future in coaching.  I am hoping she stays in the Chicago area, but I think many schools will be calling her soon.  Either way, I'll continue following her career.

Gascoigne was one of the pitchers I sought out prior to my one at bat against the Bandits in a charity game.  Like the others, she said I pretty much had no chance and she was right.  It all was in fun though and I appreciated her talking to me about it and not just brushing me off, like the over-excited fan that I was.

Gascoigne was always a class act on and off the field, in interviews or just casual ballpark chats.  I appreciate her time and consideration.  I wish her great success at Northwestern and I am excited to be able to continue covering her there.  I thank her for all you have given the Bandits fans and me.  Good luck and Go Cats!

For more info on the reigning back-to-back champion Bandits, go to ChicagoBandits.com.  For more info on the Northwestern softball team, go to NUSports.com.

Michelle Gascoigne and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2014.

Player Coach Michelle Gascoigne

Softball pitcher Michelle Gascoigne won an NCAA softball championship with Oklahoma.  She was drafted by the Chicago Bandits and has won two National Pro Fastpitch titles with them.In addition to the NCAA title, she left Oklahoma with a degree in education.  She is combining that degree with her playing experience as she embarks on a career in coaching.  Currently, she is on Kate Drohan's staff at Northwestern University.  Previously, she was on the staff at her alma mater Oklahoma for 2014-15.  Despite her youth, I have seen Michelle "coaching" her Bandits teammates on occasion.  She is very knowledgeable and has a passion for the game.

She is also one of the pitchers who "advised" me on my one at bat in 2015.  I believe her exact words were a negative head shake.  She proved to be wise with that reaction.

I will be covering the Bandits again this season.  I will also be onb the beat with the NU Wildcats.  I have interviewed Michelle as a player and I am looking forward to picking her brain as a coach.

One of the highlights of last year was watching her pitch in Akron.  As of this writing, I do not know if she will still be playing in the NPF.  I hope she is.  I always anjoy watching her pitch.  She is a talented battler out there.  It has been a real pleasure covering her and knowing her.

Michelle Gascoigne and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2015.

On the Beat With Michelle Gascoigne of the Chicago Bandits 2016

Today our recurring coverage of the Chicago Bandits leads us to Michelle Gascoigne.  A product of the University of Oklahome, Michelle is in her fourth year with the Bandits (and the NPF).

While at Oklahoma, she threw a perfect game and also was a 2013 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year finalist and an All-Big 12 Second Team selection in 2013.  That lead her to being the seventh overall selection in the 2013 NPF draft.

Michelle had an outstanding rookie season, going 6-1 with four complete games, while having an ERA of 1.92.  She has won 6 games in every season and is on pace for that again this season.

In our interview, I asked Michelle about charting on her non-pitching days.  Non-pitching doesn't mean off day, as Michelle explains.  Actually, I didn't quite realize how involved the players were in such activities.

Pitch charting is also a good experience for her coaching career.  Michelle talks about her current coaching status and her future plans.  Michelle still has a long future in the NPF, but she will also have a successful coaching career.

It has been a real pleasure watching Michelle over the last few years.  She is a class act and a real competitor  I had to laugh last year, when during pre-game warmups of my big at-bat game, she wished me luck, but the look in her eyes told me I had no chance (she was right). 

To learn more about Michelle and the Bandits, head to ChicagoBandits.com.  Also, return here often for our continuing coverage of the Bandits.

On the Beat with Michelle Gascoigne of the Chicago Bandits 2015

Today, the Johngy's Beat and Justin's World of Softball joint coverage of the 2015 Chicago Bandits features pitcher Michelle Gascoigne.  In her third year out of Oklahoma, Michelle is having another fine season.
With four wins this season, Michelle is on pace to match her six wins in each of her first two seasons.  She stands at 4-2 and one save with an ERA of 2.55 and 43 strikeouts against 17 walks.  She also has five complete games.
We talked to Michelle about her future in coaching, adjustments in the NPF and much more.  I also asked her about Monica Abbott's recent perfect game.

After you watch the video, head to ChicagoBandits.com for more info and updates.  Then, be sure to check out the Bandits in person, on television or on YouTube.  Get to a game before the season ends!