McKinney, TX- November 23, 2015 – Dallas Charge General Manager Kevin Shelton announced today that Rich Wieligman, University of Texas at Dallas Head Coach, would join the Dallas Charge coaching staff for the 2016 season.
“Coach Wieligman is a nice addition to our staff. He brings fielding and hitting expertise that add significant value to the squad,” said GM Kevin Shelton. He is an excellent manager and has the perfect temperament for our team. I have known Wigs for over ten years going back to his days as an Assistant Coach at Texas A&M and have grown to respect his knowledge of the game. His experience and approach will be a nice complement to our Head Coach Jennifer Rocha.”
Rocha says, about adding Wieligman to the lineup, “I am very excited about teaming up with Rich to coach the Charge. Rich is a great coach with a great mind for our sport. I am looking forward to an exciting summer with him!”
Wieligman is in his first year at UTD. He spent the last nine years at the helm of Oklahoma State where he took the Cowgirls to three NCAA Division I Tournament appearances, including a spot in the 2011 WCWS.
The Lee’s Summit, Missouri native played collegiate baseball at Lubbock Christian College (now University) where he graduated in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in education. In 1983 Wieligman helped his college team win the NAIA National Championship. He earned All-American honors in 1984. After school, he toiled for four years in the Detroit Tigers farm system, reaching the AAA level before playing professionally in Japan and the Dominican Republic.
Wieligman began his college coaching career in 1998 at Baylor where he served as an assistant through 2000. He spent two years at Texas Tech and then four years as an Aggie Assistant before taking the reigns at OK St. in 2007.
“I am excited to about the opportunity to coach at the professional level,” said Wieligman. It’s a great chance to work with some of the best athletes and players in our sport. I’m looking forward to it, it should be a lot of fun.”
About Dallas Charge
The Dallas Charge, headquartered in McKinney, TX, began competition in the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2015. The Charge provide elite softball players the opportunity to pursue a professional career and inspire the next generation of professionals. Located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the Charge organization and its players are committed to demonstrating leadership in community involvement, entertainment, and professionalism. Follow the Dallas Charge at www.dallascharge.com.
About National Pro Fastpitch:
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fast pitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fast pitch softball since 2002. www.profastpitch.com