| North Alabama Lions Softball | |
| Currentseason: | 2024 North Alabama Lions softball team |
| Founded: | 1983 (41 years ago) |
| University: | University of North Alabama |
| Athletic Director: | Dr.Josh Looney |
| Conference: | Atlantic Sun Conference |
| Conference Short: | ASUN |
| Location: | Florence, Alabama |
| Coach: | Ashley Cozart |
| Tenure: | 10th |
| Stadium: | Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium |
| Capacity: | 4,200 |
| Nickname: | Lions |
| National Champion: | Division II: 2016 |
| Wcws: | Divison II: 2016 |
| Super Regional: | Division II: 2016 |
| Ncaa Tourneys: | Division II: 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| Conference Tournament: | Gulf South Conference: 1986, 1987, 2016, 2018 |
| Conference Champion: | Gulf South Conference: 2016, 2018 |
The North Alabama Lions softball team represents the University of North Alabama in NCAA Division I College softball. The team competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and plays its home games at Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium in Florence, Alabama. The Lions are currently led by head coach Ashley Cozart.
North Alabama has won their conference title 4 times, has been to the NCAA Division II Tournament 7 times and has won the one NCAA Division II Softball Championship in 2016.
North Alabama began official play in 1983 after a year of exhibition play and was led by head coach Ande Jones.[1] From 1983 to 1985, the Lions and the rest of the Gulf South Conference competed in slow-pitch softball. In 1985, the GSC and the Lions switched to fast pitch and made the jump to Division II play.[2] The Lions would win the first two GSC championships under fast pitch rules, beating Mississippi College both times.[3] [4]
Success continued for the Lions into the 1990s. Michele Logan would be picked to the All-GSC team three times while Jodi Johnson would become a four-time All-GSC performer in 1999. From 2000 to 2004, the Lions would have 118-151 record before returning to the GSC tournament in 2005.
In 2006, the Lions made their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament. They would go 1-2 in tournament play after losing to FGCU and Barry and beating Kentucky State.
From 2013 to 2018, the Lions made 6 straight NCAA Division II tournaments. In 2016, North Alabama won their first GSC title in 29 years under the coaching of Ashley Cozart.[5] The Lions would go on to the Division II World Series and beat Humboldt State to win their first National Championship.[6] The title would be the university's first national title since 2003 when the women's volleyball team took home the Division II championship.
In 2019, the Lions began play in the Atlantic Sun Conference as they made the jump to Division I play. They would finish 26-20 in their first season as a Division I team. In 2022, North Alabama went 40-20 and received an invitation to the NISC[7] and found victory against UNLV and Tarleton State as they finished 2-2 in tournament play.
In 2023, North Alabama made the ASUN Conference tournament finals but lost to Central Arkansas.[8] [9]
Originally known as the UNA Softball Complex at Cox Creek Park, the Lions have played at the Hilda B. Anderson Softball Complex since its conception. In 2006, a $630,000 renovation transformed the field into its current state by adding a new press box, concourse area, and grandstands. Since then, the complex has continued to be improved. In 2010, a new scoreboard was added along with viewing decks in the outfield. In 2023, a new indoor batting facility and fieldhouse was built along the right foul line and in 2024, artificial turf was installed.[10] [11]
In 2019, the field was renamed to the Hilda B. Anderson Softball Complex to honor her commitment to UNA softball as she and her family were and continue to be one of the biggest donors to the program.[12]