Shannon Pivovar Takes the Helm as USD Coyote Softball Coach

VERMILLION — The University of South Dakota has appointed Shannon Pivovar as the new head coach for its softball program. This announcement was made on Tuesday, marking Pivovar as the 11th individual to lead the Coyotes. She succeeds Robert Wagner, who recently led the team to its inaugural NCAA tournament appearance in May but departed shortly after.

Pivovar has been with the Coyotes as an assistant coach for the past three years under Wagner. She brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as head coach at Division II University of Sioux Falls for five years. Before that, she was an assistant at South Dakota State, where she played a role in transforming the Jackrabbits into an NCAA tournament contender. Krista Wood, who she assisted, is now the head coach at Creighton.

Throughout her tenure at USF, Pivovar recorded a coaching record of 109 wins and 113 losses. Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Pivovar stated, “I could not be more humbled and excited for the opportunity to be the next head softball coach at the University of South Dakota. The commitment level towards the overall growth of the softball student-athletes... has been evident in my first three years on staff, and I am anxious to continue that moving forward.” She emphasized her gratitude towards the university's leadership for the opportunity to build on the legacy of USD softball.

Pivovar began her coaching journey at Wayne State College in Nebraska as a graduate assistant in 2014, following her coaching roles at Ralston and Marian High Schools in Omaha. Additionally, she has experience as a program coach for the Nebraska Fury and Nebraska Gold Fast Pitch Softball teams. Notably, she has also worked as an assistant sports information director at Creighton.

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Pivovar excelled during her collegiate playing career at Missouri Western State University, where she was a three-time All-Conference selection and earned the title of Missouri Western Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2010. She ranks among the top ten in five offensive categories at the university, including sixth in career at-bats and eighth in career doubles.

USD athletic director Jon Schemmel expressed confidence in Pivovar's capabilities, stating, “Piv has great pride in the University of South Dakota and her passion for Coyote Softball and our student-athletes is contagious. She is the right person to lead our program.”