LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced Gene Reardon as this year's recipient for the NAIA Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

Reardon will be recognized during the NFCA Awards Brunch at the NFCA National Convention on Dec. 7 in Atlantic City, N.J. It is the second time in Reardon's 14-year coaching career that he has received this award. He was also recognized in 2015. Tireless on the recruiting trail, Reardon serves as CMU's recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and deputy head coach. He is responsible for the number of recruits each year, helping fill both a reserve and Varsity roster.

"Gene has been loyal, trustworthy, dedicated and committed to the head coach, players and the program in general," said head coach Pat Reardon. "Gene does whatever is needed (help with move in day, hospital visits, Walmart runs) to make the parents' and players' experience a great one, all while being a volunteer coach. I am 100 percent positive CMU softball is not where it is today if Gene is not in the program.

Reardon oversaw a softball squad that held a 31-18 record a season ago, earning the No. 3 seed in the Heart Conference Tournament. Under his tutelage, the offense continues to make strides which included setting high marks for average and home runs in 2019. The Eagles led the Heart last season with 10 players earning All-Conference honors, while Kelli Gorman was named a First-Team NAIA All-American. Additionally, eight players were recognized as Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes.