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GLENSIDE, Pa., April 15, 2012 - Arcadia University Head Softball Coach Linda Detra - the winningest coach in 158 year history of Arcadia University- reached a elite milestone today by posting her 400^th victory when her team secured a 9-2 victory in its second game of this afternoon's doubleheader against local out-of-conference rival Gwynedd-Mercy College at Blankley Field.

After Gwynedd-Mercy took today's opener 6-5, Arcadia began the second game focused on getting the team back in the win column. The Knights saw their rudementary efforts pay off in the first when their full lineup made an appearance at the dish and produced a 5-0 lead. Arcadia would not relinquish their lead only build to it, going up 9-2 to start the final inning with this historic outcome for the long-time head coach now within full grasp.

In today's finals innings, the animated Arcadia dug out continued to rally the Knight's offense with its usual reverberating chants intended to give the Knights some extra boost to put the ball in play. But perhaps like no other day, the head coach of 19 years absorbed the resonant melodies as she reminisced of the near 400 individual voices that have filled her dugout over the years. And win No. 400 would be made a reality as Arcadia's defense forced the Griffins into three straight fly-outs in the top of the ninth to end the game.

Surrounded by her players and coaching staff as the dug out cleared upon the final out, Detra described the path to her 400th career victory. "Acheiving 400 wins has been a long, hard, but mostly fun ride. I credit the players that have come to Arcadia for the right reasons: academic reputation, the experience of playing Division III softball, and the pride of representing your team in front of friends and family. The reputation of Arcadia's softball program, the dedication of the young women who have chosen to be a part of that tradition, and the energies of my great assistant coaches through the years have helped me to achieve this milestone."

A tribute to the caliber of student-athletes she recruits, Detra's number of victories currently ranks in the top 36 of active NCAA Division III softball coaches, while she resides at 53 overall by victories among All-Time DIII coaches through the 2011 season. (http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/stats/softball/2011rb.html)

"Winning 400 softball games in her career has put Linda in a very select group of coaches. It is clear proof of her dedication, knowledge and commitment to her students and her program," says Arcadia Athletic Director Shirley Liddle, who has witnessed the entirety of Detra's 400-win career. Linda puts her personal accomplishments second to those of her program, and her players would testify to that. Her teams always boast the spirit and enthusiasm that mirrors Linda's. This is but one hallmark that Linda should feel very proud of accomplishing.

"Tell any ordinarily successful coach about Linda's achievement, and they will just scratch their head and say, 'Wow! 400?' In the world of sport, that's a simply amazing number," says Arcadia University President Carl (Tobey) Oxholm. "And just think of the hundreds of scholar-athletes whom she has inspired with her commitment to teamwork and excellence."

Student-athletes who have donned the Scarlet and Grey for Arcadia's consistently competitive softball program resoundingly agree, with a repetitive theme: Coach Detra expects academic performance to match the effort student-athletes give on the practice and playing field.

"The last decade or so, you cannot mention Arcadia Softball without mentioning the tradition Linda brings to the program," notes recent alumnae and two-time All Conference honoree Virginia Buechel '11. "She has always inspired her athletes to do well on the field and even better in the classroom. Building strong, competitive teams throughout the years has been the norm, but producing good student-athletes who work harder and build their personal characteristics outside of softball is what most outside of the program might not recognize."

"Linda has done so much for me as a Arcadia student-athlete alumnae by inspiring me to be a better person and leader off the field," says Buechel. "In my last season with Linda, I felt that she helped prepare me to move on to bigger and better things by pushing my limits and leadership skills as a student-athlete. I want to congratulate her on her 400 wins and the continued success I know she will maintain with our program."

"Coach Detra has bettered my life both on and off the field," notes sophomore starting catcher Leanda Helms '14. The constant encouragement, irreplaceable advice, and witty sense of humor all add to her approachable personality and mentor-like role. She has encouraged me to focus on my studies while still keeping me very much involved with the team itself. She has taught many valuable life lessons and has become not only a coach but a friend. I am truly a better person for all of these experiences she has provided."

On her way to today's illustrious milestone, Coach Detra has amassed numerous coaching career highlights that has allowed Arcadia's softball program to continuously draw in high-caliber student-athletes. Under her tutelage, the program has compiled 11 seasons with 20 or more wins with three consecutive 30-win seasons from 2005 to 2007. The program's most productive season by victories came in 2006 when the team compiled an overall record of 34-9 during the program's final year as a member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC). An eight-year run of conference tournament appearances occurred between the 2000 and 2007 campaigns.

Three-time All American player Laura Fencik '07, a player on Arcadia's 2006 team, says, "Lin really understands the value of an education and understood that we were always students before athletes. She would always celebrate our academic success with our teammates and would even encourage us to utilize one another for tutoring and study groups. The camaraderie we had off the field translated onto the diamond where our athletic determination and success shone through." Between Fencik and her classmate All American Jennifer Compton '07, the duo combined for unprecedented success in garnering numerous national, regional and conference accolades both for academic success and athletic prowess from 2004 through 2007.

In total, Detra has coached 11 All Regional athletes, three All American selections, two conference Rookies of the Year, and a Player of the Year along with more than 60 combined All Academic and All Conference players. Her teams have made 10 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference tournament appearances, finishing as runners-up in 1997 and 2005. In 2009 her squad earned a berth in the MAC Commonwealth Conference semifinals and competed for the league championship against Messiah College in the 2011 finals.

Detra has collected Coach of the Year honors twice in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (2003, 2007) and also from the Lower Bucks County Courier Times.

The Langhorne, Pa., native earned an undergraduate degree in Health and Physical Education from Lock Haven University where she also earned the Golden Whistle Award given to the outstanding senior in physical education. Detra went on to earn a graduate degree in Physical Education from the University of Florida and did post-masters work at Temple University in Sports and Recreation. In addition to her coaching duties, she serves as Arcadia's Senior Woman Administrator and Athletic Facilities Director.

The team faced a busy and tough week in an out of Commonwealth Conference play with an eight-game stand over the past five days that began with a thrilling doubleheader split against Lebanon Valley and now ends with another against Gwynedd-Mercy, both played on their home Blankley Field. With today's victory in the nightcap, the Knights stop their longest winless streak of the season at five games and has one day off before traveling to Wesley College for a non-league twin-bill this Tuesday, April 17.

Heather Buriak '13 notched the win as Arcadia's game two starter, finishing a no-hitter through two frames with 3 walks and a K. Ashley John '14 went 3 for 3 with 3 runs scored while Alexandra Schafer '15 registered two hits, scored a run and stole a base. Marissa Perez '13, who made the final out of the game, and Staci Lynn Borrel '14 each added a hit and 2 RBI in game two.