SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Joe DiPietro, who previously was the head coach at Temple University and led the Owls to 115 wins in five seasons, has been named the new head softball coach at UIW.
 
"We are excited for the opportunity to work with Joe," said UIW Interim Director of Athletics, Mark Papich. "Joe's team blueprint for success parallels the University mission that cultivates the development of the whole person and values of life-long learning."
 
DiPietro comes to the Alamo City from Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he spent one season as an assistant coach to Carl Taylor. Prior to his stint with the Dragons, DiPietro spent two season as head coach at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. DiPietro led the Lady Pirates to a 22-win season in his first season with the squad in 2015.
 
DiPietro spent five seasons as the head coach of Temple University in Philly, where the Owls won 115 games in that span. The softball team was the only program at the school to increase their win total every season. The Owls made three consecutive conference tournament appearances, culminated by a school-record 32 wins in 2013.
 
Prior to his time at Temple, DiPietro spent six seasons at another Philly school in La Salle University, where he led the Explorers to 22 wins in 2008, the most wins by the program in 11 years.
 
"I am very excited to be named the new head coach at UIW," stated DiPietro. "I want to thank Interim Athletics Director, Mark Papich, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, Dr. David Jurenovich, and the entire selection committee for choosing me to lead the Cardinal softball program. I will give my all to the players, the alumni, the university, and the community. It is an exciting time to be a Cardinal!"
 
DiPietro will inherit a UIW team that went 13-40 overall and 6-20 in the SLC in 2017. The Cardinals faced some tough competition, which included the No. 4 team in the country at the time – and the eventual national champions – in Oklahoma. UIW won a thrilling 5-4 extra-inning affair at cross-town rival UTSA in late February. Four Cardinals earned All-SLC honors at the conclusion of the season: Mikaela Flores (3^rd Team), Danielle Ramirez (3^rd Team), Christy Trevino (3^rd Team), and Alex Alonzo (HM).
 
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