IU Softball Associate Coach Chanda Bell Announced as Pitching Coach of the Chicago Bandits
2/28/2020 9:26:00 AM | Softball
CHICAGO, Ill. – Indiana Softball Associate Coach Chanda Bell has been signed as pitching coach of the Chicago Bandits for the 2020 NPF season, the team announced on Tuesday. Bell remains an Associate at Indiana and will coach the Bandits this summer following the IU Softball season.
"This is a fantastic professional development opportunity for Chanda, as she continues to be a rising star in our business," said Head Coach Shonda Stanton. "Coaching in the pro league is a different capacity that grows your managerial skills working with athletes at the highest level. The Chicago Bandits have always been a reputable organization and Chanda is a great addition to Lauren Lappin's staff."
A native of Indianapolis, Bell played a record-breaking career at the University of Kentucky. At the end of her collegiate career, Bell left as the all-time winningest pitcher and was the first in team history to throw four straight 200-plus strikeout seasons. Sitting at the top of the Kentucky record books with 910 Ks, Bell was the first Wildcat to throw a no-hitter, as well as the first to toss a perfect game. She owns three of the top four single-season strikeout marks. Following her college career Bell signed with the Bandits for the 2012 season.
Bell will join current IU Softball Graduate Student manger Gwen Svekis and former Graduate Student Manger from 2018-19 Morgan Zerkle at the Chicago Bandits, as both will be on the 2020 roster this summer.
"I am so excited for Chanda to be joining the Chicago staff, especially because of the dedication I've seen from her with our Hoosier family", said Svekis. "I'm excited to experience Chanda as a coach and be able to pick her brain even more from the players perspective. Chanda was a Bandit for one year following her collegiate career and I can't wait for her to experience the pro league from a new perspective!"
Over two seasons in Chicago, Svekis has played in 59 games for the Bandits amassing 38 hits, 31 RBI's and an OB% of .336. Zerkle signed a one-year deal for the Bandits in January. She was originally selected by the Scrap Yard Dawgs in the 2017 NPF Draft after an illustrious career under Bell at Marshall University in-which she was an NFCA All-American, Senior CLASS All-American and Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American.
Bell was named to the pitching staff for Indiana University in 2017. Last season, Bell and the Indiana coaching staff led the Hoosiers to a 14-0 start, the best in program history, the best record since 2011 (36-21) and the best non-conference mark since 1986 (26-8). Because of this incredible start, Indiana earned its first ranking since 1996. The Hoosiers spent six straight weeks ranked, picking up wins against two top-10 teams in No. 6 Georgia (Feb. 10) and at No. 10 LSU (March 1).
IUHoosiers.com spoke to Bell about her upcoming role with the Chicago Bandits:
Coach Bell, you played with the Bandits after your college career at Kentucky, how does it feel to come full circle and coach with the franchise?
A: "It is somewhat surreal for me. Prior to playing for the Bandits, I attended games as a fan and a young softball player. I remember being in the stands watching Jennie Finch pitch and dreamed of being like her one day. Then having the privilege of being a Bandit after college was a dream come true. Immediately following my playing career, I had not realized the opportunities that would be presented through coaching. I am excited and honored for this opportunity to join Lauren Lappin and the culture they have cultivated in an already storied and successful organization. I am proud to be back in the NPF and looking forward to working with a very talented team and staff."
How exciting is it to join current and former IU grad assistants Gwen Svekis and Morgan Zerkle on the same pro team?
A: "I get to work with Gwen daily in the bullpen and she has been a blessing for me these past two seasons. She has an incredible mind for the game, and we often joke about being on the same wavelength when it comes to calling a game. I am excited to witness firsthand how great of a ball player she is and grateful she is on my team! I had the pleasure of coaching Morgan Zerkle for 4 years at Marshall and watched her grow into the phenomenal athlete she is. She has a work ethic greater than anyone I have ever coached. I am excited to watch her continue to excel at the professional level. It will be a game changer to have her speed and skillset in the lineup!"
What are you most excited about in your upcoming role with the Bandits?
A: "As a coach, at times we learn more from working with our athletes than we may teach them. I will relish spending time in the bullpen with some of our game's best pitchers and catchers. The great thing about pitching is that there are numerous ways to excel and be successful. As much as I am excited to work with and coach our athletes, I look forward to my growth both personally and professionally through the sheer competitiveness of the game at this level and the relationships that will be built throughout the summer."
"This is a fantastic professional development opportunity for Chanda, as she continues to be a rising star in our business," said Head Coach Shonda Stanton. "Coaching in the pro league is a different capacity that grows your managerial skills working with athletes at the highest level. The Chicago Bandits have always been a reputable organization and Chanda is a great addition to Lauren Lappin's staff."
A native of Indianapolis, Bell played a record-breaking career at the University of Kentucky. At the end of her collegiate career, Bell left as the all-time winningest pitcher and was the first in team history to throw four straight 200-plus strikeout seasons. Sitting at the top of the Kentucky record books with 910 Ks, Bell was the first Wildcat to throw a no-hitter, as well as the first to toss a perfect game. She owns three of the top four single-season strikeout marks. Following her college career Bell signed with the Bandits for the 2012 season.
Bell will join current IU Softball Graduate Student manger Gwen Svekis and former Graduate Student Manger from 2018-19 Morgan Zerkle at the Chicago Bandits, as both will be on the 2020 roster this summer.
"I am so excited for Chanda to be joining the Chicago staff, especially because of the dedication I've seen from her with our Hoosier family", said Svekis. "I'm excited to experience Chanda as a coach and be able to pick her brain even more from the players perspective. Chanda was a Bandit for one year following her collegiate career and I can't wait for her to experience the pro league from a new perspective!"
Over two seasons in Chicago, Svekis has played in 59 games for the Bandits amassing 38 hits, 31 RBI's and an OB% of .336. Zerkle signed a one-year deal for the Bandits in January. She was originally selected by the Scrap Yard Dawgs in the 2017 NPF Draft after an illustrious career under Bell at Marshall University in-which she was an NFCA All-American, Senior CLASS All-American and Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American.
Bell was named to the pitching staff for Indiana University in 2017. Last season, Bell and the Indiana coaching staff led the Hoosiers to a 14-0 start, the best in program history, the best record since 2011 (36-21) and the best non-conference mark since 1986 (26-8). Because of this incredible start, Indiana earned its first ranking since 1996. The Hoosiers spent six straight weeks ranked, picking up wins against two top-10 teams in No. 6 Georgia (Feb. 10) and at No. 10 LSU (March 1).
IUHoosiers.com spoke to Bell about her upcoming role with the Chicago Bandits:
Coach Bell, you played with the Bandits after your college career at Kentucky, how does it feel to come full circle and coach with the franchise?
A: "It is somewhat surreal for me. Prior to playing for the Bandits, I attended games as a fan and a young softball player. I remember being in the stands watching Jennie Finch pitch and dreamed of being like her one day. Then having the privilege of being a Bandit after college was a dream come true. Immediately following my playing career, I had not realized the opportunities that would be presented through coaching. I am excited and honored for this opportunity to join Lauren Lappin and the culture they have cultivated in an already storied and successful organization. I am proud to be back in the NPF and looking forward to working with a very talented team and staff."
How exciting is it to join current and former IU grad assistants Gwen Svekis and Morgan Zerkle on the same pro team?
A: "I get to work with Gwen daily in the bullpen and she has been a blessing for me these past two seasons. She has an incredible mind for the game, and we often joke about being on the same wavelength when it comes to calling a game. I am excited to witness firsthand how great of a ball player she is and grateful she is on my team! I had the pleasure of coaching Morgan Zerkle for 4 years at Marshall and watched her grow into the phenomenal athlete she is. She has a work ethic greater than anyone I have ever coached. I am excited to watch her continue to excel at the professional level. It will be a game changer to have her speed and skillset in the lineup!"
What are you most excited about in your upcoming role with the Bandits?
A: "As a coach, at times we learn more from working with our athletes than we may teach them. I will relish spending time in the bullpen with some of our game's best pitchers and catchers. The great thing about pitching is that there are numerous ways to excel and be successful. As much as I am excited to work with and coach our athletes, I look forward to my growth both personally and professionally through the sheer competitiveness of the game at this level and the relationships that will be built throughout the summer."
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