UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University is excited to announce the hiring of Ryan Schalk as the SVSU softball program's 17th Head Coach.
"I want to thank John, Angela (Pohl), Brad (Barlog), and everyone involved in the search process for this opportunity," Schalk said. "I also want to thank all the coaches, administrators, and players I have had the opportunity to work with throughout my career. Not only is SVSU a tremendous educational institution, but there is a history of success that I look forward to building on within the softball program. After seeing the direction of the athletic department and the opportunity for success within the GLIAC, it was a no-brainer for me. I couldn't be more excited to get to campus, meet the team, and continue to build on the championship culture that has been established within Saginaw Valley State Softball."
Schalk joins SVSU after serving as the assistant coach for Grand Valley State University in 2022. Schalk helped guide GVSU to the GLIAC regular season championship and a berth in the NCAA DII Super Regionals. GVSU fell to SVSU in the championship game of the GLIAC postseason tournament in 2022.
Prior to his season with GVSU in 2022, Schalk served as an assistant coach with the University of Toledo from 2019-2021. He was the head coach at Alverno College in 2018 and led the softball program at Muskegon Community College from 2009-2016 in both assistant and head coaching roles.
"We are thrilled to introduce Ryan as the next head coach for our softball program and can't wait for him to get started," SVSU Deputy Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Angela Pohl said. "I am confident in his ability to bring tremendous energy and softball IQ and look forward to supporting his efforts to maintain and grow the success of our softball program. I want to thank Assistant Athletic Director, Brad Barlog for his efforts in leading the search process. We are excited to welcome Ryan to our Cardinal family and can't wait to see his leadership and impact on the women in our softball program."
The SVSU softball program finished the 2022 season with a record of 36-20 overall and 17-10 in the GLIAC. The Cardinals won the 2022 GLIAC Postseason Tournament and advanced to the NCAA DII Regional Final.