CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Wes Rowe, the winningest head coach in Cedarville University softball history, is resigning his position effective at the end of the calendar year.

Interim Athletic Director Chris Cross made the announcement with plans to hire an interim head coach for the 2022 campaign followed by a search for a permanent replacement.

"I have respected and admired Wes since his first day at CU," Cross stated. "The timing of his decision allows him to commit to his church as a full-time pastor.

"He has indicated for some time that his church is growing and demanding much more of his energy. His love for the Lord and his team is unquestioned."

Rowe, who is a 1978 graduate of Cedarville and former Yellow Jacket baseball player, has been a pastor for over 40 years.

The move allows him to devote his full attention to Keystone Baptist Church in Kettering, Ohio where he has been the senior pastor for five years.

"I love Cedarville and am forever grateful that (former athletic director) Pete Reese hired me," added Rowe. "I really enjoyed it and in the process developed so many wonderful relationships.

"However, I need to focus on our local church ministry which is growing daily and requires I step away from collegiate coaching. I hope to assist in the transition of softball leadership in whatever way I can."

Rowe led the Lady Jackets to 369 victories in 14 years. He's the only CU softball coach to win more than 30 games in a season accomplishing the feat seven times featuring a school-record 35 victories on three different occasions.

Rowe's program qualified for every G-MAC Tournament ever played and finished as runner-up four times.

Cedarville won the G-MAC regular season title in 2017 and 2018, claimed three NCCAA Midwest Region banners, and advanced to the NCCAA National Tournament five times.

The Rowe File:

• G-MAC Coach of the Year - 2017
• 1 NCCAA National Player of the Year
• 1 NFCA Division II First Team All-American
• 1 CCA Division II First Team All-American
• 14 NCCAA All-Americans
• 1 NCCAA Game Plan 4 Life Character Award recipient
• 5 NCCAA National All-Tournament Team players
• 6 NAIA Scholar-Athletes
• 41 NCCAA Scholar-Athletes
• 45 All-NCCAA Midwest Region players
• 32 NCCAA Midwest Region All-Tournament players
• 1 NFCA Division II Midwest Region player
• 4 CCA Division II Midwest Region players
• 42 All-Conference players
• 75 All-Conference Academic Team players
• 1 Conference Player of the Year
• 2 Conference Pitchers of the Year
• 2 Conference Freshmen of the Year
• 13 All-Conference Freshmen Team players

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