PORTALES, N.M. – Interim Athletic Director Matthew Grawrock announced the appointment of Amanda Fefel as the next head coach of the Eastern New Mexico University softball program. She will begin her role at the university in July.
“We are excited for Amanda to start as the next leader of our softball program here at Eastern. She comes to us from a successful Division I institution and has the experience to help our student-athletes excel on the field, in the classroom, and in the community,” said Grawrock.
Fefel takes over the program from Interim Head Coach Duste Grawrock, who helped the Greyhounds find success in the second half of the 2021 season. Fefel becomes the 12th head coach in the history of the Greyhound softball program.
“I am honored and thankful to President Caldwell and Interim Athletic Director Matthew Grawrock for giving me the opportunity to lead the Greyhound softball program,” said Fefel. “I look forward to establishing and building a successful culture both on and off the field here in Portales”.
Fefel arrives after two seasons as an Assistant Softball Coach and Pitching Coach at NCAA Division I Appalachian State University, in Boone N.C. While with the Mountaineers, Fefel helped guide a pitching staff that held a 3.27 ERA in 2021 and a 2.77 ERA during a shortened 2020 season. Under the guidance of Fefel, the Mountaineer pitching staff posted top five finishes in the Sun Belt Conference in lowest ERA (3.27), most staff wins (27), and least runs allowed (173). Individually, Fefel led pitcher Kenzie Longanecker to a place on the Second Team All-Sun Belt squad.
Prior to Appalachian State, Fefel was the Head Softball Coach at NJCAA Division I program Clarendon College, in Clarendon, Texas. In five seasons with the Bulldogs, Fefel amassed a record of 183-95, with her final two seasons gaining national recognition in the national top 25 rankings. During that time, Fefel coached two student-athletes to the NJCAA All-American list, along with 12 All-Conference team selections and 11 student-athletes chosen to the All-Region V team.
Fefel joined Clarendon after three seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Coppin State University, in Baltimore, Md. In her role at Coppin, Fefel oversaw the yearly budget, ran practice and managed game day operations. Fefel also served in roles as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor, Women’s Sports Counselor, and Community Outreach Organizer.
During her time at Coppin and Clarendon, Fefel also worked as a softball instructor and evaluator for Softball Factory. In that position, Fefel conducted player development camps for USA/ASA Softball and Under Amour National Teams, along with developing training plans.
Fefel gained their first taste of coaching as a volunteer assistant softball coach at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Fefel spent one year in the position organizing training sessions, developing hitters and outfielders, and assisting in fundraising efforts for the softball program.
As an undergrad, Fefel was a standout softball student-athlete at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). During her four-year career, Fefel collected four America East First Team All-Conference selections, UMBC Female Athlete of the Year (2008-09), UMBC Senior Athlete of the Year (2009-10), and team MVP awards in 2009 and 2010. In the classroom, Fefel garnered America East All-Academic Team honors in all four seasons.
Fefel earned a bachelor’s degree in sports marketing, media, and communications from UMBC in 2010. Fefel continued her education at the University of Baltimore & Coppin State University obtaining a master’s degree in human service administration- counseling in 2015.
