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Karen Marr Hometown: New South Wales, Australia Position: Assistant Coach Experience: Sixth year

Karen Marr is entering her seventh year as an assistant coach at U of L. She works primarily with the pitching and catching staff and assists in game and practice preparation.

Marr was instrumental in Louisville's record-setting success during the 2009 season as the Cards produced a 48-11 record and spent most of the year ranked in the top 25 - reaching as high as No. 14. Catcher Melissa Roth and pitcher Kristen Wadwell earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America honors and Roth was selected BIG EAST Player of the Year. Wadwell finished second in the nation in overall wins at 41. Wadwell owns several school records including career (75) and single season (41 )wins and strikeouts in a game (16).

Under Marr's guidance, the Cardinals have produced five All-BIG EAST pitching selections - including 2007 BIG EAST Tournament MVP Kristen Wadwell. Marr also coached 2006 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year Catherine Bishop - in Louisville's first year in the league. Bishop was also named to the 2006 NFCA All-South Region second team. Prior to that, in her first two years, Marr coached three All-Conference USA pitcher selections with Aja Sherman being named C-USA Pitcher of the Year in 2005. Sherman also earned NFCA All-South region second team honors, becoming the first Louisville pitcher to earn the recognition.

Marr has been an integral part of the Cardinals' six consecutive NCAA appearances. Since she joined the program as the Cardinals pitching coach, Louisville has been among the league leaders in both the BIG EAST and C-USA in team earned run average. U of L pitchers have combined for eight no-hitters and one perfect game. In 2007, Bishop finished the season ranked second in the country with seven saves. In 2006, the Cardinal pitching staff of Catherine Bishop, Kady Garrick and Kassie Stanfill ranked third in the nation with a team ERA of 1.02. Also in 2006, Bishop led the BIG EAST Conference and had the fourth-best ERA in the nation at 0.78 while Garrick's 1.20 placed her third in the conference and at 26th in the nation. Bishop, Garrick and Stanfill also held opponents to a school-record low .173 batting average.

The 2005 pitching staff of Catherine Bishop and Sherman set a school record for strikeouts in a season (457), strikeouts in a game (Sherman with 15), shutouts (26) and held opponents to a .175 batting average.

"When you look at what our pitching staff has done the past four years, you can definitely see the impact that Karen Marr has had on our program," said Sandy Pearsall. "What makes Karen unique is her openness to new ideas and her desire to continue to learn and think outside the box."

Before coming to U of L, the New South Wales, Australia native was the National Battery Development Coach for the Australian Softball Federation. Prior to that, she was a pitching and catching specialist coach with the NSW state teams from 1994-2001. She was selected as National Junior Team Battery Coach in 1999 and served as the battery coach for the NSW Development squads in 1994 and 1996. During her tenure with the Australian Softball Federation, Marr helped guide seven U-19 and U-16 teams to national championships. In 2004, she was selected as an assistant coach for Australia in the World University Games.

Marr's coaching experience extends beyond Australia. She recently completed a stint at the West Coast Academy in Vancouver in 2003. In 2000, she coached the Chinese Olympic Squad and Elite Sport Schools. Her 2002 U-19 Australian team competed in the Canada Cup and in 1999, her U-19 Australian team participated in the Junior Girl's World Championship in Taiwan.

Marr has completed several Australian Softball Federation certification courses, including Level 3, the highest level of training for coaches. Marr has also served as a lecturer for the Australian National Softball Federation from 1998-2003.

"Karen Marr brings vast experience in pitching and catching at an international level," said head coach Sandy Pearsall. "She has already helped us reach our goals of winning a conference championship and competing in the NCAA tournament and will help us as we work toward our next goal of making the College World Series."