By: Annie Gerdes
The 2020-2021 Season will be Rutledge’s 7th year at Knox as the Head Softball coach. She was a 2012 Graduate of Illinois College where she earned a BS in Physical Education. Rutledge earned the 2012 Midwest Conference South Division Pitcher of the Year and made the Academic All-Midwest Conference Team. After graduation Rutledge spent 2 years in North Carolina at Louisburg College as an assistant coach /pitching coach. Five of her Louisburg players went on to play at the Division I level. Since her first season at Knox the team has broken 19 single-season records and broke into the top 10 leader boards 54 times. Two of her players, Katy Coseglia and Mady Ferris, were named MWC All-Conference in the 2019 season while breaking many of those single season records themselves. In addition, Emily Stevenson hit .317 in the 2018 season to claim a MWC All-Conference nod. In the last 6 years the team has had 32 players on the Academic All-Conference list.
1. What do you enjoy most about Division 3?
Division 3 is truly about the player’s experience. I love that the student-athletes get to
continue to play at a competitive level and get a great education in the process.
2. If you could coach any sport (that you do not already coach) what would it be?
Pickle Ball or Badminton
3. What do you love most about your job?
Sounds funny but Graduation… I love seeing how a young player develops over their
time at Knox. I love to see what they accomplish after Knox. The relationships formed
are the best part.
4. What do you love about Knox?
The family atmosphere.
5. If you could coach/work anywhere in the world where would it be?
Alaska…I LOVE the snow and cold. Lots of indoor practice and games in a Dome.
6. What is your favorite Knox memory?
Spring Break every year! Florida is a huge part of our season. We get to play
competition from all over the US and I get to see my team come together over the
course of a week. The relationships that the players form is incredible.
“Going through 9 weeks of practice and then losing our game season to Covid-19, has made our team stronger and more resilient than ever,” said Rutledge. “The players and the coaching staff are ready to get back to work. We are more dedicated to Leave Our Legacy as Team #45 This upcoming season.”
“Erin always has a smile on her face and is always enthusiastic about her team. It is clear that she enjoys working with student-athletes and teaching the game of life through softball” said Director of Athletics, Daniella Irle. “We were looking forward to seeing her team in action last spring. Softball had some great recruits joining the program and returned a solid group as well. We are looking forward to seeing what the team can do this spring.”
***Story courtesy of Knox College***
