Melissa Chmielewski was an assistant softball coach at North Dakota State University for the 2019 season.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Melissa (Chmielewski) back. It’s not often lighting strikes twice in the same spot, but I believe it has for us,” NDSU head coach Darren Mueller said. “We have the same excitement as we did when she committed to us as a student-athlete. Melissa is an excellent teacher of the game and a great addition to our program. She brings a lot to our program and we couldn’t be happier to have her back as a Bison.”
Chmielewski spent the past three seasons as head coach at Missouri Southern State University, leading the Lions to a 73-91 record competing in the MIAA. Prior to working in Joplin, Mo., she compiled an 18-23 record as head coach at Eagan (Minn.) High School from 2014 to 2015. Chmielewski was a graduate assistant at Minnesota State Moorhead while earning her master’s degree in education leadership.
A CoSIDA Academic All-American and three-time NFCA All-Midwest Region selection, Chmielewski was part of the NDSU transition from Division II to Division I teams from 2007-10 that compiled a 142-85 record including 47-14 in the first three years in the Summit League. She was a valuable member of the 2009 NCAA Norman Region championship team that advance to the Tempe Super Regional. The Bison also played against No. 1 Washington in the 2010 NCAA Seattle Regional.
"I am incredibly honored and proud that Darren and NDSU has provided me the opportunity to return to my alma mater and work with the softball team,” said Chmielewski. “I am excited to get to work and continue to grow the winning tradition of the NDSU softball team."
The Circle Pines, Minn., native set numerous North Dakota State softball single-game, single-season and career records including all-time records with 1,310 putouts and 1,415 fielding chances. She shares the single-game marks with a pair of home runs and five hits, and holds the record with eight RBI and 11 total bases.
Chmielewski graduated in 2010 from North Dakota State with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education. She was a standout high school softball and hockey player for Centennial High School.
