Sept. 10, 1999

EASTON, PA - Lafayette College has named John Wong head softball coach, as announced by Dr. Eve Atkinson, director of athletics.

"John Wong has a tremendous coaching background both athletically and academically, especially given his recent Ivy League success at Harvard University," Atkinson said. "He has been a very successful coach in the sport of softball, and I am confident he can revitalize the Lafayette softball program."

Wong is coming off a three-year assistant coaching stint under Head Coach Jenny Allard at Harvard University, where he helped guide the Crimson to the school's first-ever Ivy League championship and subsequent NCAA Tournament berth in 1998.

At Harvard, Wong helped mold 12 First Team All-Ivy League selections and saw the Crimson set single season records for victories in 1997 and 1998. Wong worked primarily as the hitting instructor and outfield coach.

Wong earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland in 1989 while holding minors in economics and management with a primary concentration in coaching.

Wong received his first collegiate coaching experience at another SUNY school, Oneonta, where he was an assistant coach for Don Flewelling from 1993-96. He helped guide Oneonta to its first-ever New York State championship in 1994 and was part of four-consecutive post-season bids and over 100 victories.

Wong's Oneonta teams won two NCAA Best Defensive Team awards and made ECAC tournament appearances in 1995 and 1996. Wong also coached the Oneonta High School softball program, rebuilding a program which was mired in an 88-game losing streak, to sectional appearances in 1994 and 1995.

"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to take over the Lafayette softball program and to help guide the Leopards into the new millennium," Wong said.

Wong replaces Stacey Cagenello, who served five seasons as the head softball coach and assistant basketball coach.