ITHACA, N.Y. – Kelly Robichaud '16 has been named the sixth head softball coach at Ithaca College, Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79 announced on Thursday. Robichaud, who held the Interim Head Coach title since July 11 and led the Bombers to a runner up finish in the recent Liberty League Tournament.

"I want to thank Susan Bassett for this opportunity," Robichaud said. "It's an honor to be appointed the next head coach. I've been grateful to have been able to lead and support these young women and am excited to see what we can continue accomplishing together. Ithaca has always held a special place in my heart, and I would like to also thank my predecessors who paved the way before me leading the Bombers with passion and pride."

Robichaud stepped in as the interim head coach of the softball program for the 2022-23 academic year after Hannah Quintana resigned following the 2022 season. The Ithaca College alumna has been coaching with the IC softball program since coming aboard as an assistant prior to the 2021 season.

She led the Bombers to a 25-10-1 regular season record and 10-4 mark within the Liberty League, which qualified them as the No. 3 seed in the Liberty League Tournament where they finished as runner-up. Ithaca finished the season with a 27-12-1 overall record, which also saw six members of the squad earn All-Liberty League.

"Kelly Robichaud proved her leadership capabilities and coaching ability during this very successful year for Ithaca College softball.  I have every confidence that Coach Robichaud will continue the tradition of success that IC Softball has enjoyed while putting her own stamp on the program.  I am very excited to see what the future holds for the Bombers under her guidance," added Susan Bassett.

During her time as a player at Ithaca, Robichaud played in 144 games, making 142 starts as both a catcher and a utility player.

Robichaud was named the Empire 8 Player of the Year following a stellar senior season in 2016. She finished with a .390 batting average after notching 41 hits, which included nine doubles, two triples and a conference-leading 12 homeruns. She also picked up First-Team All-Empire 8 and National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Northeast Region First Team accolades.

Her coaching staff will consist of Payton Cutting '18 who will also continue as her assistant that led the pitching staff to an ERA of 1.86, while also leading the Liberty League in strikeouts where both Anna Cornell (140) and Riley Piromalli (178) posted career-highs. She will be joined by Dan Raymond who has assisted the program as the first base coach since the 2008 season.