Eureka Selects Ellie Manderfeld as Head Softball Coach

EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College has selected Ellie Manderfeld to lead its softball program as the 11th head coach in program history, Director of Athletics Sara Shaw announced Tuesday.

"We are looking forward to seeing what Coach Manderfeld will accomplish with our softball program," Shaw said. "She is an experienced leader with a sincere focus on the holistic development of student-athletes. She cares deeply about success on and off the field and will continue to grow our program. We are looking forward to welcoming her on campus. Our program is in great hands with her at the helm."

Manderfeld comes to Eureka after most recently serving as an assistant coach at Purdue University Northwest, where she helped the program improve from 14 wins in 2025 to 30 victories in 2026, finishing fifth in the regular season and third in the GLIAC Tournament. During her tenure, she coached three GLIAC Hitters of the Week, five All-GLIAC selections, and two All-GLIAC Honorable Mention honorees. The Pride also broke nine offensive single-season records and six single-game records while leading the conference in batting average (.320), hits (507), doubles (89), triples (25), total bases (733), and slugging percentage (.463).

Prior to Purdue Northwest, Manderfeld spent two seasons as head softball coach and Senior Woman Leader at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois. There, she coached three CCAC Pitchers of the Week, two CCAC Hitters of the Week, three All-CCAC selections, three All-CCAC Honorable Mention honorees, and four NCCAA All-Region players. Her teams also set program records for individual single-season stolen bases, career hits, and single-season hits.

Outside of coaching, Manderfeld has served in the Illinois Army National Guard since 2020 as a CH-47 pilot and company commander.

"I am incredibly honored and excited to be named the next Head Softball Coach at Eureka College," Manderfeld said. "From the moment I stepped on campus, it was clear that Eureka is a place that values community, academic excellence, and the development of its student-athletes. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead and build this program. I look forward to fostering a competitive culture that represents Eureka College with pride while providing an outstanding student-athlete experience."

A standout outfielder at North Park from 2017-21, Manderfeld earned Second Team All-CCIW honors in 2018 and led the conference in runs scored in 2019. She was named an NCAA Woman of the Year nominee in 2020 in recognition of her academic achievement, athletic excellence, leadership, and community service, while also earning North Park's Female Sportsperson of the Year award. Manderfeld earned bachelor's degrees in sport management and graphic design in 2020 before completing her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in leadership in 2023.