Maryville University Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Marcus Manning announced Stephanie (Winter) Decker as the new head coach of the Saints softball program during the summer 2016. The St. Charles West High School graduate comes to Maryville after two years as an assistant coach at Southeast Missouri University.
While with the RedHawks, Decker was SEMO's recruiting coordinator and directed the team's outfielders. Prior to her stint in Cape Girardeau, Decker was an assistant coach at Saint Louis University. During her time with the Billikens, the program posted its best winning percentage in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 12-5 mark and finished second in the A-10 in 2014. Decker coached six A-10 All-Tournament selections, four A-10 All-Academic honorees, four A-10 Rookie team picks and two first-team A-10 performers while with the Billikens staff.
Decker has prior experience in the Division II ranks as she was an assistant at Upper Iowa for two seasons. She served as the Peacocks' camp director, managed academics and planned the team's community service events in addition to her on-field responsibilities.
Decker received her initial collegiate position as an assistant coach at Northern Iowa. In 2009, the UNI coaches were voted the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference Softball Coaching Staff of the Year. Decker helped guide UNI to a school record for MVC wins, had 10 All-MVC selections, four MVC All-Academic honorees and two State Farm Good Neighbor award-winners during her tenure in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
"In Stephanie, we've identified a talented person with an extremely high softball IQ and proven recruiter," Manning said. "Stephanie will be an ambassador for the University, the Department of Athletics & Recreation and softball program. We are thrilled that Stephanie has joined Saints Nation and will lead this softball program into a transformational future at Maryville University."
Decker, then known as Stephanie Winter, played four seasons at the University of Michigan and won the 2005 NCAA Division I national championship. She helped the Wolverines earn a spot at the 2004 Women's College World Series, competed in four NCAA regionals and three super regionals. Michigan won the Big Ten Conference championship all four years that Decker played in Ann Arbor. She was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and was a four-time recipient of Michigan's Academic Achievement award.
"I am honored for the opportunity to be at Maryville University," Decker said. "I would like to thank the Maryville Administration and Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Marcus Manning for allowing me to join Saints Nation. I am excited about the direction and growth of the University and Athletic Department. The program had its winningest season last year and I plan to build on that foundation and to continue moving towards more success on the field and in the classroom."
Decker earned her bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Michigan in 2008, and holds a master's degree in human performance from Lindenwood University.
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