Katie Ackermann

Title

Head Coach
Email

ackermannk@unk.edu
Phone

(308) 865-8010 - office; (308) 627-3618
Bldg/Location

H&S Center, Rm. 109A

Katie (Bolin) Ackermann was named the ninth head softball coach in Nebraska-Kearney history in September 2019.

“I cannot say enough good things about Katie and the quality of person and leadership she will bring to UNK Athletics. I believe Katie is one of the brightest up-and-coming coaches in the game, and I am confident that she is going to do some really great things with our softball program,” UNK Athletic Director Marc Bauer said.

A star player at both Kearney High and Division II Chadron (Neb.) State College, Ackermann previously was the top assistant coach at McCook (Neb.) Community College for three years. She was named interim head coach at MCC in the summer of 2019 and also served as an assistant coach at McCook High School (2016-18) and CSC (2011-12). Katie Ackermann & Kyle Honeycutt

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity. It’s hard to put in words how special this transition is for a girl who grew up in Kearney. I’m extremely fortunate to be back around family, friends, and individuals who have supported me through my softball career,” Ackermann said. “I want to thank Marc and the athletic staff for choosing me as the person who is going to bring change to this program. I’m excited for the future of UNK softball and I’m ready to get started.”

She has posted a 71-99 record (31-53 MIAA) to date and coached six All-MIAA selections.

Her first season of 2020 was cut short to the pandemic. UNK was 13-13 before the NCAA and MIAA stopped all sports in mid-March. At the time the Lopers were 8-3 at neutral sites and 3-3 in league play. It marked UNK's first non-losing season since 2012.

Averaging 5.6 runs per game thanks to a .324 team batting average, the Lopers managed 39 doubles, 12 triples and 12 home runs over 26 games. Eleven players were hitting at least .300 with outfielders Nicole Spykstra (.443) and Carlee Liesch (.430) among the national leaders. In the circle, six different Lopers logged at least eight innings with the staff tallying 118 strikeouts in 162.1 innings. UNK had four complete games and three saves with the defense coming in with a .930 fielding percentage.

In 2021 UNK went 17-25 and won eight league games. Having just 10 home contests, the Lopers had four named All-MIAA including Liesch (.366). The team had a six-game win streak early in the season and ended things with three straight wins including one at nationally-ranked Central Oklahoma.

That was a springboard for 2022 as UNK reached the postseason for the first time in a decade. The Lopers went 25-27, placed seventh in the MIAA and went 2-2 in the league tournament. That included a win at UCO as well as one over Emporia State. Lefty Madison Rosenthal recorded a seven-inning no-hitter against the Hornets, the program's first in nine years. Not surprisingly, she was named to the All-Tournament team with Liesch picking up another All-MIAA and All-Central Region honor. Finally, UNK ended the year 2-1 vs. UCO.

In 2023, sophomore Sydney Thomas was a repeat All-MIAA pick after being one of the league's top two-way players. She had a team-low 3.24 ERA, seven wins and a save to go along with a .358 average, 14 doubles, eight homers and 25 RBI's. Finally, Thomason pulled off the rare feat of being name the MIAA Player and Pitcher of the Week as the same time.

Holding a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Organizational Management from Chadron, Ackermann was part of a turnaround at MCC between 2017-19. After posting a 22-38 mark in 2017, the Indians won 29 games and the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference title in 2018. The next spring MCC won a piece of the league crown in winning another 29 games and reaching the Region IX postseason tournament for the first time in three years. Seeded fourth, the Indians advanced to the title game before the season drew to a close.

Ackermann coached three players that earned 2019 All-Region IX honors as well as four Indians that made the Omaha World-Herald’s state All-Junior College team. Several of these players have gone on to sign with four-year schools.

“During my time as an assistant coach at McCook, I got the chance to experience a little of what a championship might feel like. That’s scary. Especially for someone as competitive as I am. I’ve gotten close to the real deal and I want more,” Ackermann said. “I want to continue to feed off of the great success we had in the 2019 Region IX Tournament and continue it here at UNK.”

Jason Miller & Katie Ackermann

In 2018 McCook was among the top offensive teams in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) as it set new team school records for batting average, extra base hits and doubles. In 2017 Ackermann coached the school’s all-time leader in hits, doubles, RBI’s and steals.

“Offense. This is why I played the game. Don’t get me wrong, pitching and defense are extremely important, but if you don’t score, you can’t win. UNK has had great offensive seasons over the last few years. I want to keep that consistent,” Ackermann said.

She helped the McCook Bison win 46 games over three seasons, reaching the Class B state tournament in 2017. That fall MHS upset top-seed Elkhorn South in the first round of the tourney. Subsequently six Bison made the OWH’s Class B all-state team.

“Katie’s experience playing in positions around the diamond has helped her become well-rounded and skilled at teaching the fundamentals of the game. This is quite evident in the impact that she had on McCook Community College softball program,” Bauer said. “Furthermore, Katie is a tireless worker and expects excellence from herself and her players in all areas of life. As far as I am concerned, we’ve hit a grand slam with this hire.”

As a player, Ackermann spent her freshman season at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Ia., before transferring to Chadron. The outfielder left the Eagles program as the all-time leader in both career home runs (37) and single season dingers (17). Named second-team All-RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) as a junior in 2010, Ackermann led CSC to 25 wins that spring as she paced the team in virtually every offensive category. She was a repeat second-team all-league pick in 2011 as she batted .356 with 17 homers and 51 RBI’s.

“I’ve had the privilege of playing with talented groups during my careers at Kearney High and Chadron State. The mentors I’ve had during those years, players and coaches, have been very significant in the success I’ve had. The game of softball has opened many doors and still continues to provide opportunities that I will forever be grateful for,” Ackermann said.

She remained at CSC as a coach in 2012, helping the Eagles win 17 games and having four players named to the OWH’s Division II all-state team. Outfielder Angela Jay was also tabbed first-team All-RMAC and earned Capital One second-team Division II Academic All-American honors.

Ackermann and her husband, Brad, have three children, Braelynn, Carter, and Ruby.