University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Aprile Adds Buchholz to Coaching Staff
8/15/2017 10:31:00 AM | Softball
Former Nebraska Standout and Ohio State Assistant Coach Joins the Panthers
PITTSBURGH – Pitt head softball coach Holly Aprile has announced the addition of Amanda Buchholz to the coaching staff for the start of 2018 season.
Buchholz, a former Nebraska softball standout, joins the Panthers as an assistant coach after spending the last five seasons in the same role at Ohio State and previously at Miami University (Ohio.)
"First and foremost, Amanda is an outstanding person," said Aprile. "Her character, integrity and leadership skills are above reproach, and I feel very fortunate that she is here."
"She brings a wealth of experience in both recruiting and in the day-to-day operations of a power-five softball program. Amanda has a track record for developing top notch defensive teams and strategies. Without a doubt she has the experience and expertise to help us continue to build a consistent winning program."
Specializing in defense, Buchholz helped the Buckeyes to five 30-win seasons during her tenure. This past season, she led Miami to a .969 fielding percentage, and saw one player earn Big Ten All-Defensive Team in Anna Kirk, while in 2016, she helped the Buckeyes to a .974 fielding percentage, the second best in the Big Ten. Two players were named to the conference's all-defensive team that year.
"I am very excited to join the Pitt softball family and the storied history of athletics in Pittsburgh," said Buchholz. "I was intrigued with the opportunity immediately because of the passion for success at the University of Pittsburgh and the excellence that is required of every one of its student-athletes in not only athletics, but academics and life as well."
"I'm extremely eager to take on the challenge of the ACC and competing against some of the top programs in the country. I have followed what Holly has done with this program over the years and I am thrilled with the opportunity to be a part of the continued success that she is building. Great things are on the horizon and I am grateful to be a part of it."
Prior to her arrival at Ohio State, Buchholz was an assistant at Miami for three seasons. The RedHawks finished with 30-plus wins in each of her years there, including a program record 41 in 2012. That same season Miami won the MAC Championship and earned a NCAA Tournament berth. In 2010, Buchholz helped the RedHawks to a program-best .975 fielding percentage.
During her time as a student-athlete at the University of Nebraska, Buchholz played shortstop for the Huskers from 2000-2003. Despite missing the first half of her freshman season, as she originally started her collegiate athletic career on the Huskers' basketball team, Bulchholz immediately saw action on the diamond, starting the final 49 games of the season. She was in the starting lineup for every game the following three seasons, ending her career with 235 starts.
Bulchholz was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and was a part of the Huskers Big 12 title in 2000. She led Nebraska to the College World Series in 2002, where she was named Most Outstanding Player of the Iowa City Regional.
Following the conclusion of her playing career, Buchholz became a high school coach before returning to Nebraska a year later to complete her undergrad degree. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in May of 2004 with a Bachelor of Science and education degree in middle grades education/coaching.
The Ogallala, Neb., native continued her playing career in the summer of 2004 after being drafted by the Texas Thunder of the National Pro Fastpitch League, but returned to Nebraska as a volunteer assistant coach after her lone season where she remained until leaving for Miami.
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Buchholz, a former Nebraska softball standout, joins the Panthers as an assistant coach after spending the last five seasons in the same role at Ohio State and previously at Miami University (Ohio.)
"First and foremost, Amanda is an outstanding person," said Aprile. "Her character, integrity and leadership skills are above reproach, and I feel very fortunate that she is here."
"She brings a wealth of experience in both recruiting and in the day-to-day operations of a power-five softball program. Amanda has a track record for developing top notch defensive teams and strategies. Without a doubt she has the experience and expertise to help us continue to build a consistent winning program."
Specializing in defense, Buchholz helped the Buckeyes to five 30-win seasons during her tenure. This past season, she led Miami to a .969 fielding percentage, and saw one player earn Big Ten All-Defensive Team in Anna Kirk, while in 2016, she helped the Buckeyes to a .974 fielding percentage, the second best in the Big Ten. Two players were named to the conference's all-defensive team that year.
"I am very excited to join the Pitt softball family and the storied history of athletics in Pittsburgh," said Buchholz. "I was intrigued with the opportunity immediately because of the passion for success at the University of Pittsburgh and the excellence that is required of every one of its student-athletes in not only athletics, but academics and life as well."
"I'm extremely eager to take on the challenge of the ACC and competing against some of the top programs in the country. I have followed what Holly has done with this program over the years and I am thrilled with the opportunity to be a part of the continued success that she is building. Great things are on the horizon and I am grateful to be a part of it."
Prior to her arrival at Ohio State, Buchholz was an assistant at Miami for three seasons. The RedHawks finished with 30-plus wins in each of her years there, including a program record 41 in 2012. That same season Miami won the MAC Championship and earned a NCAA Tournament berth. In 2010, Buchholz helped the RedHawks to a program-best .975 fielding percentage.
During her time as a student-athlete at the University of Nebraska, Buchholz played shortstop for the Huskers from 2000-2003. Despite missing the first half of her freshman season, as she originally started her collegiate athletic career on the Huskers' basketball team, Bulchholz immediately saw action on the diamond, starting the final 49 games of the season. She was in the starting lineup for every game the following three seasons, ending her career with 235 starts.
Bulchholz was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and was a part of the Huskers Big 12 title in 2000. She led Nebraska to the College World Series in 2002, where she was named Most Outstanding Player of the Iowa City Regional.
Following the conclusion of her playing career, Buchholz became a high school coach before returning to Nebraska a year later to complete her undergrad degree. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in May of 2004 with a Bachelor of Science and education degree in middle grades education/coaching.
The Ogallala, Neb., native continued her playing career in the summer of 2004 after being drafted by the Texas Thunder of the National Pro Fastpitch League, but returned to Nebraska as a volunteer assistant coach after her lone season where she remained until leaving for Miami.
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