CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman has announced a contract extension for head softball coach Tyra Perry. The extension, which was approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees at its July 20 meeting, keeps Perry under contract through the conclusion of the 2027 season.
"We are pleased to extend Coach Perry's contract to ensure she remains at the helm of Illinois Softball for at least the next four years," Whitman said. "Tyra is a driven competitor who has led our program to numerous achievements during her tenure, highlighted by four NCAA Regional appearances. She is a focused, values-driven role model for her players – past and present – which has helped her become the lone female coach to lead three different schools to the NCAA Tournament. We want to thank Tyra for her commitment and belief in the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini Athletics. The future is bright for the softball program under her continued leadership, and we look forward to supporting her and our student-athletes in the many seasons ahead."
Perry was hired as the second-ever coach of the Illinois softball program on June 24, 2015, and donned the Orange and Blue for the first time during the 2016 campaign.
"I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to lead and grow the Illini Softball program," Perry said. "I am grateful for the support of Josh Whitman and Sara Burton as we strive to instill the principles of character, toughness, and community into our student athletes. The University of Illinois is a special place, and I am blessed to represent the Orange and Blue."
In 2023, Perry capped off her eighth season as the Fighting Illini head coach. During her time in Champaign-Urbana, Perry owns a 243-166 record that includes four NCAA Tournament appearances. Perry's squads have posted winning records during all traditional seasons and an 11-11 mark during the COVID-19-abbreviated 2020 campaign. She led the program to its best-ever Big Ten finish in 2022 when the Illini placed third, logging a 15-7 record in conference play.
Under her tutelage, 15 Illini players have garnered National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region honors with Kelly Ryono most recently earning the accolade following a stellar senior season. Five of the program's 15 no-hitters have been thrown with Perry at the helm, including a pair from the Illini's newly named assistant coach Sydney Sickels.
Perry was the first Black female head coach to lead a Big Ten softball program. A pioneer of the game, she was one of 17 Black female head coaches in all of Division I last season, and one of three leading a Power 5 program. The Illini's series against Michigan State in 2023 marked the first time two Black female head softball coaches faced off during Big Ten play and was believed to be the first meeting between two Black female head softball coaches at the Power 5 level.
The 2024 campaign will mark Perry's 23rd season as a head coach. With previous stops at Birmingham Southern, Western Kentucky and Ball State, Perry owns a career 652-554-1 record. During her time at WKU and Ball State, Perry's teams earned bids to the NCAA Tournament. She is one of three active head coaches to lead three different programs to the NCAA Tournament, and is the only woman to do so.
"We are pleased to extend Coach Perry's contract to ensure she remains at the helm of Illinois Softball for at least the next four years," Whitman said. "Tyra is a driven competitor who has led our program to numerous achievements during her tenure, highlighted by four NCAA Regional appearances. She is a focused, values-driven role model for her players – past and present – which has helped her become the lone female coach to lead three different schools to the NCAA Tournament. We want to thank Tyra for her commitment and belief in the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini Athletics. The future is bright for the softball program under her continued leadership, and we look forward to supporting her and our student-athletes in the many seasons ahead."
Perry was hired as the second-ever coach of the Illinois softball program on June 24, 2015, and donned the Orange and Blue for the first time during the 2016 campaign.
"I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to lead and grow the Illini Softball program," Perry said. "I am grateful for the support of Josh Whitman and Sara Burton as we strive to instill the principles of character, toughness, and community into our student athletes. The University of Illinois is a special place, and I am blessed to represent the Orange and Blue."
In 2023, Perry capped off her eighth season as the Fighting Illini head coach. During her time in Champaign-Urbana, Perry owns a 243-166 record that includes four NCAA Tournament appearances. Perry's squads have posted winning records during all traditional seasons and an 11-11 mark during the COVID-19-abbreviated 2020 campaign. She led the program to its best-ever Big Ten finish in 2022 when the Illini placed third, logging a 15-7 record in conference play.
Under her tutelage, 15 Illini players have garnered National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region honors with Kelly Ryono most recently earning the accolade following a stellar senior season. Five of the program's 15 no-hitters have been thrown with Perry at the helm, including a pair from the Illini's newly named assistant coach Sydney Sickels.
Perry was the first Black female head coach to lead a Big Ten softball program. A pioneer of the game, she was one of 17 Black female head coaches in all of Division I last season, and one of three leading a Power 5 program. The Illini's series against Michigan State in 2023 marked the first time two Black female head softball coaches faced off during Big Ten play and was believed to be the first meeting between two Black female head softball coaches at the Power 5 level.
The 2024 campaign will mark Perry's 23rd season as a head coach. With previous stops at Birmingham Southern, Western Kentucky and Ball State, Perry owns a career 652-554-1 record. During her time at WKU and Ball State, Perry's teams earned bids to the NCAA Tournament. She is one of three active head coaches to lead three different programs to the NCAA Tournament, and is the only woman to do so.
