COLUMBUS, Ohio – Capital University Director of Athletics Dr. Darrell Bailey Sr. announced the hiring of Anna Kirk as the next head softball coach on Tuesday morning.
Kirk will be the 10th head coach to oversee Capital Softball since the program's inception in 1983.
"I would like to thank Dr. Bailey and the search committee for the opportunity to be the next head coach at Cap U," said Kirk. I am grateful for the opportunity to return to my hometown to influence the young women who are current athletes, and those who come through. I am excited to help these groups of women achieve their academic and athletic goals."
"I am very excited for the hiring of Coach Kirk as the next leader of our softball program," said Dr. Bailey. "I truly believe she will develop our student-athletes and become an integral member of our athletic department as we continue to move in the right direction. I look forward to watching the program grow under her leadership!"
A native of central Ohio, Kirk competed collegiately right here in Columbus, Ohio as a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes' softball program from 2013-2017. As a collegian, Anna was a four-year varsity student-athlete, was a three-time Academic Big Ten Award winner and served as a team captain in 2017. In the classroom, Anna completed her degree in Sport Industry and also minored in Human Development and Family Sciences.
Since graduating as a student-athlete herself, Kirk has been an assistant softball coach at four stops – two years at her alma mater Ohio State as a volunteer, one year at OAC-foe Muskingum University, one year at Division II Ashland University and the previous two years at Division I Bucknell University.
As a mentor in the coaching world, Kirk has notably aided the development of Lilli Piper at Ohio State and Nicole Rivait at Bucknell. Piper currently plays professional softball within Athletes Unlimited and also serves as an assistant coach with Ohio University. Rivait was selected to play for the Canadian National Team after graduating from Bucknell. Additionally, Kirk has assisted in the development of numerous All-Conference and postseason award winners at her various stops.
Anna is a native of Groveport, Ohio and will once again call Columbus home as she returns to central Ohio to take over the Comets' program. She will make the transition to Capital alongside her husband Holden and her son KJ.
Capital softball is coming off of a 15-17 overall record in 2023, a 10-win improvement from the 2022 season. Three players were named All-Conference and one was selected as an Academic All-American at the end of the season.
Kirk will begin her responsibilities at Capital the week of August 21st.
