LORETTO, Pa. (July 28, 2011) – Jennifer Patrick-Swift has been announced as the latest addition to the Saint Francis University athletics family, coming on as the head softball coach.

“We are very excited for Jennifer to be our head softball coach,” said Erika Renwick, Senior Associate Director of Athletics. “Jennifer will make a positive and impactful impression on Red Flash softball. She has shown a great ability as a head coach to identify talent and is committed to developing players on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”

“I am thankful of the search committee, especially (Director of Athletics) Bob Krimmel and Ms. Renwick, for believing that I am the person who can take Saint Francis softball to the next level,” said Patrick-Swift. “With the commitment and dedication that Saint Francis is investing in the softball program, and my passion for this game, together we will make an immediate impact within the Northeast Conference.”

Patrick-Swift is a native of nearby Northern Cambria and comes to Loretto after serving as the head softball coach at Seton Hill University since July 2010. During her time with the Division II Griffins, she led a squad of just 12 student-athletes to an 18-23 overall record that included four victories over nationally ranked opponents.

The list of accomplishments during her short stay at Seton Hill also include four players being named All-WVIAC and mentoring her squad to a collective grade-point average of 3.6.

Prior to her most recent coaching stint, Patrick-Swift began her collegiate coaching career at Division III Washington & Jefferson College as an assistant. During her one season there, she helped lead the Presidents to the second most single season wins in school history. The team's defense also improved dramatically throughout the course of the year by cutting down on a wide margin of errors from the previous season.

From there, Patrick-Swift moved on to a head-coaching job at Chowan University where she spent a year overseeing the Division II operation. While with the Hawks, Patrick-Swift monitored the team's academics and solely acquired 14 committed recruits for the next season.

The longest tenure of her collegiate coaching career came with Division III York College of Pennsylvania where she spent two and a half years. Under Patrick-Swift's direction, York entered the NFCA Top 25 rankings for the first time in school history in 2009, reaching as high as 21st. Following her first two seasons, she helped the Spartans produce the second highest amount of wins in the school's history and led them to their best conference finish since 2001. York set a school record in fielding percentage, had the fewest number of errors in team history and several players climbed to the top spots in the school's record book in a number of categories.

After her stay at York, she moved on to an assistant coaching position at Division II Millersville University where she helped the Marauders set new school records in slugging percentage and doubles, and came just one extra base hit shy of breaking the school's extra base hit record. The Marauders more than doubled their conference wins from the previous season under Patrick-Swift's assistance and significantly increased offensive production.

As a player, Patrick-Swift was a four-year starting first baseman for Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C. She earned All Dixie/USA South Conference honors three times and was a two-time honoree of the All-Atlantic South Region team. Her team posted 120 victories to just 53 losses throughout her four seasons spent with the Monarchs. On the field, Patrick-Swift set career records in games played, at-bats, triples, total bases and putouts. Named Offensive Player of the Year her junior and season, she batted .405 and .420, respectively. Leadership skills shown through as well for Patrick-Swift as she garnered team captain honors her final two years.

In addition to her coaching and playing experience, Patrick-Swift has been a softball camp instructor since she began playing collegiate softball in 2001. She held positions at five different colleges or universities as an instructor.

“Saint Francis is well known for its superb education and overall great college experience, which lends to the perfect equation for success both on the field and in the classroom,” said Patrick-Swift. “It is truly an honor to be named the head softball coach at Saint Francis University.”

Patrick-Swift holds a bachelor's degree in biology, with concentration in zoology from Methodist College, a master's degree in sports management, concentration in coaching theory and strategy from American Military University, and is currently enrolled in an online doctorate psychology program with the University of the Rockies.