LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Third-year head coach Ryan Schalk and his coaching staff, consisting of assistant Steve Bohn and volunteer assistant Sarah Gersch, were selected by their peers as the 2025 ATEC/NFCA Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced on Friday. This is the first time the SVSU coaching staff has received this honor.

Schalk adds this honor to his GLIAC Coach of the Year award he received during the conference tournament. The repeat GLIAC Coach of the Year led the Cardinals to back-to-back GLIAC regular-season titles, the first outright regular-season title since 2009. He led the team to the second-highest win total in program history with 49, just one victory away from tying the program record and just the fifth time the team has reached 40 wins in a season.

"Congratulations to Ryan Schalk and his assistants on being selected NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year," SVSU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics John Lewandowski said. "It's a well-deserved honor for Ryan and his entire staff. His team has been the model of consistency this season, winning the GLIAC regular-season title by an incredible six games.

Ryan's even-keel demeanor is a perfect complement to some of the fiery personalities on his roster. His team never gets too high or low, and that's why SVSU has played at such a high level from week to week and month to month. It's also the reason why this team is never out of a game, regardless of the score, and why it has been so resilient in close games.

Ryan is also a skilled strategist. He pays great attention to detail and has a knack for placing his players in positions to be successful when the game is on the line. Now in his third season as head coach at SVSU, Ryan has SVSU in contention for the National Championship."

The Cardinals won the most conference games in program history with a 23-5 mark, the first 20-win season in conference play. Schalk has coached back-to-back GLIAC Pitchers of the Year with Macy Irelan this season and Emily Depew last season. Irelan and fellow pitcher Aalana Kimble became the first pair of Cardinal players to be selected as All-Americans in the same season with third team selections by the NFCA during Wednesday evening's championship banquet.

Saginaw Valley State won its fourth-straight GLIAC tournament title, the third during Schalk's tenure. It hosted one of the NCAA Midwest Regional sites and the Super Regional, where the Cardinals were crowned the Midwest Regional Champions and advanced to the NCAA Division II Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for just the second time in program history.

"Coach Bohn is one of the best minds in our game and prepares our team at an elite level. Coach Gersch is one of the best players to come through our program, and our players really benefit from having someone who has been in their shoes," said Schalk. "Our student manager, Lacy, makes everything go smoothly by handling all the little things behind the scenes. The list goes on and on from there with all the people who make this team successful. From our strength coach, athletic trainer, facilities, grounds, all the way to the top with our director of athletics. Without all of these people, we wouldn't be anywhere near as successful as we are."