Name: Dr. JoAnne Graf Position: Head Coach Graduate: Florida State '75 Experience: 20th Season Record: 913-239-5

If reaching milestones was meant to occur occasionally, then Florida State's Dr. JoAnne Graf is not following the rules, because it seems with each and every year, Graf celebrates yet another landmark accomplishment and 1997 was no exception. Graf became just the second coach in NCAA Division I softball history to notch 900 victories when the Lady Seminoles defeated North Carolina 6-0 in Chapel Hill on April 10th. The win also clinched the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title for Florida State for the fifth time in six years.

Over the years, Graf has maintained the philosophy that hard work and dedication produce positive results. And because of this attitude, there are not many things that Graf has not accomplished in her 19-year coaching career.

With 913 career victories, Graf ranks second all-time by victories among Division I softball coaches. Her 694-186-5 (.797) record in fast-pitch competition only, ranks her second by percentage and sixth by victories among all Division I active softball coaches. But the accolades don't stop there. Graf has been named the ACC Coach of the Year three times after leading the Lady Seminoles to consecutive conference titles in 1992 and 1993 and co-championship status in 1997. In 1995, she was selected the ACC/Metro Conference Coach of the Year after guiding Florida State to a 9-1 league record and an automatic bid to NCAA regional play. She has led FSU to 10 seasons of 50 wins or more, including two seasons when the Lady 'Noles recorded more than 60 victories.

Under Coach Graf's direction, Florida State has been to the NCAA College World Series in Oklahoma City five times and in 14 years of fast-pitch competition, she has directed the Lady Seminoles to 11 regional tournament appearances. Florida State has also finished among the nation's top 13 teams in 11 of the past 12 seasons, with its highest ranking coming in 1990 when the Lady Seminoles placed third at the College World Series. But the success didn't begin there. In her first five years at Florida State, Graf accumulated 219 wins playing the best slow-pitch competition in the nation. She claimed two national titles while coaching five All-Americans as she established a solid basis to build upon.

Graf, who was voted the South Region Coach-of-the-Year in 1986, has seen 52 of her players selected to NCAA All-South Region teams, including three players in 1997. Her coaching has produced 10 All-Americans in the 1990s alone, including three first team selections in centerfielder Shama Wilson (1996), second baseman Lisa Davidson (1993) and shortstop Tiffany Daniels (1987).

A 1975 graduate of Florida State, Graf returned to her alma mater after two years at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro where she earned her master's degree in physical education. Graf also worked in the athletic department at UNC-Greensboro as head coach for the university's men's and women's swim teams while also serving as assistant softball coach.

Graf, who serves as director of the FSU softball camp each summer, is a former president of the Florida Collegiate Athletic Association. She has also served as a member of the NCAA Softball Committee and chaired the NCAA Softball Advisory Committee for the South Region.

In 1992, Graf added "Dr." to her name after completing her doctorate degree in athletic administration at FSU.

LADY SEMINOLE SOFTBALL UNDER DR. JOANNE GRAF

1979       26-15      .634

1980       37-10      .787

1981       54- 7      .882

1982       56-10      .848

1983       46-11      .807

1984       41- 5-2    .875   

1985       50-12-2    .797   

1986       42- 7      .857   

1987       50-14      .781   

1988       44-14      .759

1989       39-14      .736

1990       47-16      .750

1991       62-12      .838

1992       63-9       .875

1993       52-9       .852

1994       50-19      .724

1995       58-15      .795

1996       51-21      .708

1997       45-19-1   

Career     913-239-5  .797

DIVISION I SOFTBALL TOP 10 MOST WINNINGEST ACTIVE COACHES
(By Percentage)
includes Fast Pitch competition only

COACH, TEAM                         YRS   RECORD      PCT   

1. Mike Candrea, Arizona             12   627-139-0   .819

2. DR. JOANNE GRAF, FLORIDA STATE    14   694-186-5   .787

3. Yvette Girouard, Southwestern La. 17   624-209-0   .749

4. Margie Wright, Fresno State       18   768-269-3   .740

5. Joyce Compton, South Carolina     15   638-235-1   .731

6. Cathy Compton, LSU                10   356-131-4   .729

7. Sandy Fischer, Oklahoma State     19   729-270-3   .729

8. Bill Galloway, Louisiana Tech     19   761-284-2   .728

9. Judi Garman, Cal St. Fullerton    18   845-316-4   .727

10. Mike McGovern, Ill.-Chicago       8   361-139-1   .722

DIVISION I SOFTBALL TOP 10 MOST WINNINGEST ACTIVE COACHES
(By Victories)
includes Fast Pitch competition only

COACH, TEAM                        YRS   RECORD      PCT   

1. Judi Garman, Cal St. Fullerton   18   845-316-4   .727

2. Margie Wright, Fresno State      18   768-269-3   .740

3. Bill Galloway, Louisiana Tech    19   761-284-2   .728

4. Sandy Fischer, Oklahoma State    19   729-270-3   .729

5. Gayle Blevins, Iowa              18   717-338-4   .679

6. DR. JOANNE GRAF, FLORIDA STATE   14   694-186-5   .787

7. Carol Spanks, UNLV               18   688-375-6   .646

8. Joyce Compton, South Carolina    15   638-235-1   .731

9. Mike Candrea, Arizona            12   627-139-0   .819

10. Margo Jonker, Central Michigan  18   626-339-4   .648