[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1487]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


  IN RECOGNITION OF CAROL HUTCHINS RECEIVING THE ATHENA INTERNATIONAL 
                            LEADERSHIP AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2017

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize University of 
Michigan Head Softball Coach Carol Hutchins for receiving the ATHENA 
International Leadership Award. Coach Hutchins has had a distinguished 
career and helped the University of Michigan softball team achieve 
success on and off the field.
  Coach Hutchins joined the University of Michigan softball program in 
1983 as an Assistant Coach and became Head Coach in 1985. During her 
tenure, the Wolverines have become one of the premier softball programs 
in the country and have reached the Women's College World Series in 12 
of the last 22 seasons. In addition, Coach Hutchins has won over 1,400 
career victories with the team, more than any other coach in Michigan 
athletics history. In recognition for her teams' stellar performance, 
Hutchins has earned 16 Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year honors, 9 
National Fastpitch Softball Association Regional Coach of the Year 
awards, and was inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in 2006. Hutchins' 
teams have also excelled academically, with the team achieving 100% 
graduation rate and 135 student-athletes earns Academic All-Big Ten 
honors.
  Coach Hutchins has also distinguished herself through her service to 
the Ann Arbor community. In 2010, she founded the Michigan Softball 
Academy, a one-night on-field clinic for adults that raises funds for 
the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 
initiative. To date, Coach Hutchins and the Michigan Softball Academy 
have raised nearly $750,000 for the organization. This level of support 
underscores her commitment to helping those in need. In addition, Coach 
Hutchins has been a fierce advocate for Title IX and works to support 
LGBTQ equality as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Carol 
Hutchins for receiving the ATHENA International Leadership Award. She 
is more than deserving of such an honor, and it is my hope that she 
continues to excel on the field and in the community.

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