DI Coach Replants Ohio Roots at Notre Dame

South Euclid, OH – July 20, 2005 - A coaching career that began in Ohio was sidetracked for several years when Tom Spencer spent three seasons at the NCAA Division I level at Butler University in Indiana. Now, after being uprooted from his home state, Spencer returns to where his heart has remained during his time away, as the head coach of the Notre Dame College women's fastpitch and golf programs.

"I'm very excited to return to the Cleveland area," said Spencer, "Although I enjoyed the challenges of rebuilding a Division I program, northeast Ohio is the place for me."

Upon earning a bachelor's degree in education from Bowling Green State University and a teaching certificate in health and physical education from Cleveland State University, Spencer's coaching career began at Baldwin-Wallace College as the assistant women's softball coach from 1993-1995. He then served as the head girls' softball and basketball coach at Fairview Park High School from 1995-97, before returning to B-W as the head women's golf coach.

After two seasons on the emerald links that included a No. 3 regional ranking in the program's inaugural season, Spencer became an assistant with the Yellow Jacket women's basketball team, as well as the head coach of the fastpitch team.

On the hardwood, Spencer guided B-W to five consecutive NCAA appearances, including one Sweet 16 appearance and two Elite 8 appearances.

During his three seasons at the helm of the fastpitch program, his teams won a total of 70 games, recording 20-plus victories each year. His teams also set or tied 19 school records and he was named the 2001 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Coach of the Year. In the classroom, his team's grade point average was in the top ten of all NCAA Division III programs for two consecutive seasons.

In 2003, Spencer transitioned to the DI level at Butler University, where he steadily improved the fastpitch program into a quality Horizon League contender. His teams won at least 18 games in each of his three seasons.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tom to our coaching staff here at Notre Dame," said Director of Athletics Susan Hlavacek. "His knowledge and enthusiasm for fastpitch, in addition to his collegiate coaching experience with both fastpitch and golf will certainly be appreciated in his new positions."

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