641-673-1707
christnerm@wmpenn.edu

Mike Christner enters his tenth season as head softball coach this spring.

The winningest coach in program history, he owns a 365-167 (.686) career coaching record.  Christner has guided his team to two NAIA national tournaments and seven consecutive NAIA Region VII Tournament appearances from 2002-2008.

A four-time Midwest Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year and two-time NAIA Region VII Coach of the Year, Christner was at the helm during the most successful campaign in program history in 2005.  That spring, the squad advanced to its first-ever national tournament, breaking numerous individual and team records, including wins in a season at 51-22.

A great Champion of Character, Christner was named Region VII Coach of Character in 2007.  He has coached 42 all-conference players, 29 NFCA all-region performers, 20 NAIA all-region players, and 12 All-Americans.

Prior to taking the reins of the softball program, he served eight years as an assistant baseball coach at Penn.  He also currently serves as assistant athletics director.

Christner, a 1985 graduate of Penn with a degree in recreation, is originally from Sigourney. He also has an associate's degree from Indian Hills CC. Christner was employed at Penn from 1984-88 and then went to work for UPS from 1988-98. He managed a business in his hometown from 1998-99 before returning to his alma mater.

An assistant high school softball coach for three years, he was the men's softball ASA commissioner of the Ottumwa district for ten years and also coached ASA girls softball for four years, with one of his teams placing third in the state.

An accomplished player in his own right, Christner garnered all-conference laurels his senior season at Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State). He played in ten ASA national tournaments and ISC world championships as well.

Christner lives in Oskaloosa with his wife Cammie. They have three children: Steph, Ryne, and Matt.