Lobdell to Take Over Cleary Softball Program
(Howell, MI)-- For the first time in program history, the Cleary softball program will have a new head coach.
Cleary University athletic director Max Ballinger has announced that James "Jamey" Lobdell will be the program's second head coach.
"We are very excited to announce Coach Lobdell as our new softball coach," said Ballinger. "We are confident Coach Lobdell's experience with NCAA D2 and D3 programs, as well his recruiting connections, will help Cleary softball grow, and take the next steps as a program."
Jamey Lobdell finished his first season as a Cougar assistant coach during the 2022-23 season. Prior to his time at Cleary, Lobdell was an assistant coach for seven seasons at NCAA D2 Saginaw Valley State University, where he primarily worked with the infielders and hitters. The Cardinals won at least 28 games in each full season Lobdell was on staff, including 36+ win seasons in 2017 and 2022. During the 2020 COVID shortened season, the Cardinals were 16-2 before the season was canceled.
He also spent two seasons at NCAA D3 Olivet College for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. During his time at Olivet, the team set the program record for victories, and advanced to MIAA postseason play in each of his two seasons. Lobdell has been a coach for close to 30 years.
"I'd like to thank everyone involved in this decision: Tim (Bailey), Max (Ballinger), Heather (Bateman), and the entire administration. The way the University made this transition was seamless, and I'm impressed with the support from everyone in the athletics and academic communities," said Lobdell
"I'm excited because of the girls we have coming back, the talent we have, and the girls we have coming in. With the coaching staff remaining intact, it will allow us to hit the ground running."
The coaching change brings an end to Coach Tim Bailey's 9-year tenure as the head coach of Cleary softball. Though Coach Bailey will no longer be the head coach, he has agreed to remain a part of the program as an assistant coach.
The impact of Coach Bailey's time at Cleary was not lost on Lobdell. "When I came to Cleary, I was just trying to help the program in whatever way I could. I want to personally single out and thank Coach Bailey for helping with this coaching transition. The fact that he is staying on staff in an assistant coaching role tells you all you need to know about his love for the game, for this University, and this program."
Cleary softball won 165 games under Bailey's leadership, highlighted by a USCAA national championship in 2018, with USCAA national runner-up finishes in the 2017 and 2019 seasons. He was named USCAA National Coach of the Year in 2017. Bailey coached 15 USCAA All-Americans, highlighted by Kaitlin Dormire's USCAA Player of the Year in 2019.
"We brought Jamey on last year, and I've known him forever, and he's a great coach," said Bailey.
"I got to thinking that I'm retiring next year (from my regular job), and I wanted to be able to keep coaching while giving the program time to find the right person to take over. This was just the perfect time to hand the reins over to someone else, while still helping with some of the administrative things. The staff is the same, but just different roles. It was just the perfect moment - knowing that when I leave, I want (the program) to be in good hands, and it is in good hands (with Jamey)."
Bailey leaves quite the legacy at Cleary. He said, "Coaching at CU was the biggest thrill. It meant a lot, and means a lot to help these kids, not just in softball, but in life. I'm going to five weddings this summer, all of them former players. At the end of the day, we got these girls an education, and I couldn't be more proud of everything we accomplished."