Knowledge of the game, academic success and professional accomplishments are three key components when looking for a head coach. First-year Northern Illinois head coach Lindsay Chouinard brings the entire package to the Huskie softball program.

"Northern Illinois could not have found a more perfect fit for our softball program than Lindsay Chouinard," NIU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jim Phillips said. "She brings outstanding credentials, both as a coach and as a player, to our softball program."

Chouinard comes to Northern Illinois after serving as an assistant coach for the DePaul Blue Demons from 2004-2007. As DePaul's pitching coach, Chouinard's expertise had an immediate impact as the Blue Demon pitching staff finished in the top 50 in team ERA every year, including a sixth best national team ERA of 1.32 in 2007. Chouinard produced two NCAA All-American pitchers in 2007 (Tracie Adix and Becca Heteniak). The coaching staff was twice honored as Mideast Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in 2005 and 2007 after leading DePaul to the Women's College World Series in both seasons. In 2007, the Blue Demons went 47-13 and finished fifth in the country, the second best finish in school history.

"Being given the opportunity to coach at Northern Illinois University is a dream come true," Chouinard said. "The energy and support throughout the NIU Athletic Department made my decision an easy one.

"I relish the challenge of continuing the great history of the Northern Illinois softball program."

As a student-athlete at DePaul, Chouinard was a four-year starting pitcher for one of the top teams in the nation. Chouinard, a two-year captain, led the Blue Demons to four Conference USA championships, four NCAA regional tournaments and a Women's College World Series appearance in 2000. The Blue Demons finished among the nation's top 20 from 2000-2003 with Chouinard on the mound, ranking seventh, 19th, 11th and ninth. In 2003, the Blue Demon pitching staff had the third lowest ERA (0.83) in the nation and in 2002, Chouinard had the second lowest individual ERA, posting a 0.47 mark.

Chouinard was honored nationally as a three-time NCAA All-American, two-time NCAA Regional MVP and two-time GTE Academic All-American for her efforts on the field and in the classroom, as well as being a finalist for the National Player of the Year in 2003. In Conference USA, Chouinard was a four-time first team all-conference honoree, Player of the Year in 2003 and Pitcher of the Year in 2003 and 2002. Chouinard holds 10 of the 13 DePaul pitching records, including career marks for wins with 108 and strikeouts with 858.

After Chouinard finished her collegiate career, she was the second overall pick by the Texas Thunder in the National Pro Fastpitch Softball League 2003 draft. After helping the Thunder win the regular season championship in her first year, Chouinard then signed with the Chicago Bandits in 2005 where she was named to the league's all-star team after notching a 9-1 record for the regular season champions.

Chouinard graduated from DePaul in 2003 with a degree in finance and completed her MBA with a finance concentration in May 2007.