LaVelle tabbed Bulldog head softball coach

SEWARD, Neb. – Lincoln North Star High School coach and teacher Todd LaVelle will step into the role previously held by 11-year head softball coach Frank Greene, Concordia University announced on Thursday (June 13). LaVelle brings more than 20 years of head coaching experience to the Bulldog softball program. Greene resigned his position after concluding the 2013 season as the program’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 303-189.

LaValle expects to continue the winning tradition.

"I am truly blessed to be appointed the next head softball coach at Concordia University,” LaVelle said. “Growing up in Seward I've always had the utmost respect for the athletes, professors and coaches that made up Bulldog nation.

“To think I'm now a part of such an elite group makes me realize the importance of my position, thus knowing how hard my coaching staff and I will need to work to lead our young ladies to be better athletes, spiritual leaders, and most important, successful adults as they leave this university. I'm very excited to be able to put on the Bulldog coaching shirt and continue to build on an already solid softball program!”

LaVelle, a Seward native and Wayne State College (Neb.) graduate, caught the attention of Director of Athletics Devin Smith with an impressive track record of excellence on the Nebraska prep scene. As head softball coach at Lincoln North Star from 2005 to the present, LaVelle amassed a mark of 171-91 with three state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2009.

“Beyond the obvious successes Todd has guided his teams to on the field, his demonstrated abilities as a motivator and high-character educator make him an excellent choice,” Smith said. “Furthermore, Todd’s deeply-rooted connections to Nebraska high school softball and the Seward community will be invaluable. We are confident he will uphold a program with Christian character and talented student-athletes serving as a foundation.”

The Seward High School graduate began his coaching career in 1993 when he started as a summer select softball coach, a role he continued to hold until accepting the offer to become head coach at Concordia. LaVelle has coached more than 50 summer select teams over the last 20 years, producing more than 1,500 wins and 12 Amateur Softball Association softball state championship appearances.

An experienced educator, LaVelle has also served as either a head or assistant coach in the sports of baseball, basketball, football, track and field and wrestling while spending time at Humphrey Public School, Seward Public School, Humphrey Saint Francis School and Pender Public School, in addition to Lincoln North Star.

LaVelle’s expertise at the high school level was recognized when he was chosen to be the head coach of the 2008 Nebraska high school softball all-star game.

LaVelle has spent the past 17 years as an area teacher, alongside his coaching roles. He has worked in the field of physical education, having taught all levels from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Lavelle received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Wayne State (1994).

He resides in Seward with his wife Mindy. They have a son Pat, 28, daughter Whitney, 18, and a son Broc, 13.

Officially, LaVelle will begin his duties as head softball coach on July 8.