“This is a most deserving honor for one of the truly great coaches and people in the history of college softball,” Athletic Director Troy Dannen said. “Rhonda Revelle is Nebraska Softball. She has won more games than any coach in the history of Nebraska athletics and her sustained success speaks for itself. We are proud that all future Husker home softball games will be played on a field bearing Rhonda’s name.”
So said Dannen on Saturday afternoon post-game of the 13-0 Nebraska victory over Iowa in
the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ regular-season home finale following the softball team’s Senior Day celebration after completing a sweep of the Hawkeyes. He was joined on the field by University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold having announced a surprise would follow the celebration of the seniors.
Dannen first presented an encased softball commemorating Revelle’s 1200th victory as the Huskers’ coach, a milestone reached on April 5th in an 11-5 victory over Rutgers. Her total of 1210 victories currently places her 3rd among active coaches.
Now in her 34th season, she is the winningest coach in Nebraska Athletic history in any sport and is a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame having been inducted in 2010. She has the third-most victories of any active Division I head coach.
Before getting into some of the accomplishments and numbers over her storied career, it may be most important to note that as a player and coach, Revelle has been a part of more than 75 percent of the games in the history of the Husker program, including every game at Bowlin Stadium since it opened in 2002. Add in longtime associate head coach and fellow Husker alum Lori Sippel and the two have combined to be a part of 90 percent of Nebraska’s victories all-time.
Now the history lesson.
Revelle played at Nebraska from 1981-83, lettering in all three seasons and was a member of the Huskers in their inaugural WCWS appearance in 1982, a season in which she was named All Big Eight. As a player, she is 2nd on the single-season saves list (passed this season by Jordy Frahm), 9th on the career ERA list (1.60) and even threw a no-hitter for good measure.
She then began her coaching career at Nebraska Wesleyan in 1986 as an assistant before taking over the top job there in 1987. She worked as an assistant at Cal St. – Hayward in 1988 and at San Jose State from ‘89-‘92.
She then returned to Nebraska to take the head coaching job in 1993 where she has remained since. After two losing seasons, Revelle took the Huskers to the NCAA tournament in 1995 beginning a run of 11 straight appearances at the dance.
She has led the Huskers to 23 total NCAA appearances (going on 24) and 3 trips to the Women’s College World Series (1998, 2002 and 2013…and 2026?). In addition:
- She has won 8 (going on 9) conference titles (6 Big 12, 2 Big 10)
- She has won four conference Coach of the Year awards (1 Big 8, 2 Big 12, 1 Big 10)
- She has produced 25 NFCA All-Americans and 16 Academic All-Americans
So while Revelle is the type of coach to divert credit and attention to her players, this recognition is not just deserved, it is absolutely due as she has not just been the face and architect of the program; she has been so for over three quarters of its existence.
It was good of Dannen to make this presentation prior to the 2026 post-season and subtly make the point this honor was already earned and not dependent on however the current season and post-season play out on what could be her best team ever – especially given how the athleticism and competition level of the sport have exploded since their last appearance in Oklahoma City.
A few folks asked me when informed of this naming if she had announced her retirement. Although I have no knowledge of her future plans, I just pictured her energy, the bounce in her step and the enthusiasm any time she she has discussed her team since I’ve been covering them before giving my answer.
Not even close.
