DeKALB | NIU didn’t need a national search to find it’s new softball head coach – just a look to the closest city.

On June 10, former DePaul assistant coach and player Lindsay Chouinard was named NIU’s new softball coach.

“Being given the oppurtunity to coach at Northern Illinois University is a dream come true,” Chouinard said. “The energy and support throughout the NIU Athletic Department made my decision an easy one.”

The hiring comes nearly one month after former head coach Donna Martin resigned after 13 years.

Chouinard served as an assistant coach to DePaul from 2005 and 2007. During her tenure, Chouinard helped the Blue Devils to the 2007 Women’s College World Series and a No. 6 national ranking and was part of the Big East and NFCA Mideast Coaching Staff of the Year last season.

Under the coaching of Chouinard, DePaul had two All-American pitchers, Tracie Adix and Becca Heteniak, and had the seventh best ERA in the nation last season. Adix was named Big East Pitcher of the Year and Heteniak was named Big East Rookie of the Year.

“Northern Illinois is getting a great coach,” DePaul head coach Eugene Lenti said. “Very few people know the game better than Lindsay. Lindsay will be sorely missed at DePaul and we wish her the best of luck and Northern.”

As a player for DePaul, Chouinard was a three-time All-American pitcher for the Blue Devils from 2000-2003. Chouinard was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Year in 2002 and 2003 and Player of the Year in 2003. Chouinard still holds 10 of 13 pitching records for the Blue Devils.

After college, Chouinard was the second overall pick in the National Pro Fastpitch Softball League in 2003 by the Texas Thunder. In 2005, Chouinard went to the Chicago Bandits and was named to the All-Star team.