IU Softball Associate Coach Chanda Bell Inducted into Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame
11/5/2021 9:40:00 AM | Softball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana Softball Associate Coach Chanda Bell was inducted into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday night.
Bell played all four years under current Kentucky Softball Head Coach Rachel Lawson who said, "People always talk about how one person can make a difference. Chanda Bell is that one person for Kentucky Softball. She was the catalyst of all of the success the program has enjoyed over the past decade. She was not only great on the mound, but more importantly, the second she stepped on the field for the Wildcats, she gave her teammates and the UK softball program the hope and vision that we could compete and win at the highest level."
A native of Indianapolis, Bell played a record-breaking career at Kentucky. She led UK to its first four NCAA Tournament appearances, including their first Super Regional. 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. Bell still holds five school records, including strikeouts in a game (16), season (288) and career (910), along with the lowest opponent batting average in a season (.175) and career (.200). She tossed five no-hitters in her career at UK, including the first no-no and perfect game in program history.
"Words cannot express how honored I am to be inducted into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame," said Bell. "I was blessed with a successful college career with amazing coaches and teammates. I never could have imagined this day would come, but I am grateful to those who helped me get here."
Bell was named to the pitching staff for Indiana University in 2017. In the 2021 season Bell helped IU pitcher Emily Goodin finish a remarkable career with IU Softball. Goodin finished with 583 strikeouts, ranking fourth best in program history. Goodin pitched her third perfect game and ranked third in the Big Ten in strikeouts with 173.
In 2019, Bell and the Indiana coaching staff led the team to its best start in program history (14-0), the best record since 2011 (36-21) and the best non-conference mark since 1986 (26-8). Thanks to the hot start, Indiana earned a spot in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll, the first ranking for the team since 1996. IU would spend 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), the first time that has been done at Indiana.
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Bell played all four years under current Kentucky Softball Head Coach Rachel Lawson who said, "People always talk about how one person can make a difference. Chanda Bell is that one person for Kentucky Softball. She was the catalyst of all of the success the program has enjoyed over the past decade. She was not only great on the mound, but more importantly, the second she stepped on the field for the Wildcats, she gave her teammates and the UK softball program the hope and vision that we could compete and win at the highest level."
A native of Indianapolis, Bell played a record-breaking career at Kentucky. She led UK to its first four NCAA Tournament appearances, including their first Super Regional. 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. Bell still holds five school records, including strikeouts in a game (16), season (288) and career (910), along with the lowest opponent batting average in a season (.175) and career (.200). She tossed five no-hitters in her career at UK, including the first no-no and perfect game in program history.
"Words cannot express how honored I am to be inducted into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame," said Bell. "I was blessed with a successful college career with amazing coaches and teammates. I never could have imagined this day would come, but I am grateful to those who helped me get here."
Bell was named to the pitching staff for Indiana University in 2017. In the 2021 season Bell helped IU pitcher Emily Goodin finish a remarkable career with IU Softball. Goodin finished with 583 strikeouts, ranking fourth best in program history. Goodin pitched her third perfect game and ranked third in the Big Ten in strikeouts with 173.
In 2019, Bell and the Indiana coaching staff led the team to its best start in program history (14-0), the best record since 2011 (36-21) and the best non-conference mark since 1986 (26-8). Thanks to the hot start, Indiana earned a spot in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll, the first ranking for the team since 1996. IU would spend 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), the first time that has been done at Indiana.
Follow Indiana Softball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
#GoIU
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