By: Ball State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State University has selected Megan Ciolli Bartlett , a two-time All-American with nine years of NCAA Division I coaching experience, as the new head coach of the Cardinals' softball program, according to director of intercollegiate athletics Mark Sandy .

“We are excited to welcome Megan to the Ball State athletics family,” Sandy said. “Her experience as a student-athlete, professional player and coach make her the ideal person to lead our softball program.”

The ninth head coach in Ball State softball history, Ciolli (see-oh-lee) Bartlett spent the 2015 season as an assistant coach at Purdue where she helped the Boilermakers earn a 31-25 overall record and advance to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. The team's defensive coordinator, she helped Purdue climb to third in the Big Ten with a .970 fielding percentage after the squad ranked 10th with a .956 mark in 2014.

“I am incredibly honored to be named the next head coach at Ball State University,” Ciolli Bartlett said. “I would like to thank Mark Sandy , Dr. Karin Lee and Pat Quinn for this exciting opportunity. The softball program at Ball State already has a winning culture in place. I look forward to adding to the tradition of Mid-American Conference championships, regional berths and, eventually, a trip to a super regional and the Women's College World Series. Upon my arrival on campus I was blown away. Everything is first class; the education, the administration and the facilities. The expectation of excellence is second to none. I cannot wait to meet the current team and get started.”

Prior to joining the Purdue staff, Ciolli Bartlett helped guide DePaul to a 44-11 overall record, the Big East regular season and tournament titles and an NCAA Regional berth as a volunteer assistant coach during the 2014 season.

Ciolli Bartlett is no stranger to the Mid-American Conference either, having spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois (2008-12). As a member of the Huskies' staff, she worked with both infielders and outfielders, plus served as the hitting coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive coordinator. She helped NIU's offense tally numerous single season records, culminating in 2011 when the Huskies set program records for runs scored (291), runs batted in (259), doubles (96), home runs (35), batting average (.312) and slugging percentage (.461).

Overall, the Northern Illinois offense finished the 2011 season ranked in the top 40 nationally in doubles (second, 1.81 per game), batting average (24th, .312), scoring (33rd, 5.49 runs per game) and slugging percentage (39th, .461). Ciolli Bartlett helped 10 NIU student-athletes earn All-MAC honors with one also earning all-region accolades.

Ciolli Bartlett began her collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Loyola Chicago for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. A member of the 2007 Horizon League Coaching Staff of the Year, she helped the Ramblers improve from a 10-10 league mark in 2006 to a 14-5 record and conference title in 2007. She also helped coach six all-conference honorees and one all-region selection during her stint on the Ramblers' staff.

As a player, Ciolli Bartlett was a four-year letterwinner at Notre Dame (2002-05), helping lead the Irish to four Big East regular season championships, four NCAA Regional appearances and two Big East Tournament titles. A two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, she captained the 2005 team to a 46-15 record and helped secure UND's first NCAA Regional home games.

The 2004 Big East Player of the Year, Ciolli Bartlett finished her playing career as Notre Dame's career leader in hits (284) and stolen bases (76), while ranking in the top five in batting average (second, .368), at bats (second, 771) and runs scored (second, 161). She also finished her career ranked in the top 10 in doubles (ninth, 37), triples (seventh, nine), home runs (ninth, 13) and RBI (10th, 101).

Following her collegiate career, Ciolli Bartlett went on to play two seasons of professional softball for the Chicago Bandits, helping guide the team to National Pro Fastpitch regular season titles in both 2005 and 2006.

Ciolli Bartlett was a three-sport standout at North Vigo High School in Terre Haute. Following her senior year in 2001, she was named Indiana Miss Softball and the Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year.

Ciolli Bartlett earned her bachelor's degree in business administration at Notre Dame in 2005. She completed her master's of business administration in heathcare administration in 2007 and went on to earn a juris doctor from Northern Illinois in 2012. A licensed attorney in the state of Illinois, she is married to Mike Bartlett, a former professional hockey player. The couple has an eight-month old daughter, Vivian.

For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.

- BallStateSports.com –