From Washington University Athletics
Washington University in St. Louis head softball coach Michelle Venturella has announced the hiring of Roya St. Clair as the program's full-time assistant coach.
A former Big Ten standout at the University of Michigan, St. Clair brings eight years of NCAA Division I coaching experience to the Danforth Campus, most recently as assistant coach at Miami University (Ohio).
"I am very excited to be joining the WashU softball program," said St. Clair. "I would like to thank coach Venturella for giving me the opportunity to be a part of her staff at one of the top academic institutions in the world. I look forward to working with the scholar-champions here at WashU and cannot wait to get to work."
St. Clair was a part of the first regular season Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship in program history in 2019. The RedHawks posted a 35-16 overall record and tied for the most MAC wins in a single season (16). In addition, Miami had seven all-MAC, two all-region and eight Academic All-MAC selections.
She also spent two years as assistant coach at Rutgers University (2016-18), one year as assistant coach at University of Illinois at Chicago (2015-16) and four years as a volunteer and assistant coach at University of Memphis (2012-15). St. Clair was on staff with Venturella at UIC during a run to the 2016 Horizon League Regular Season championship.
"I am thrilled to have Roya join our Bear family! She has an extensive background in our sport and has had experience coaching almost every aspect of the game," Venturella said. "Roya understands what is needed to create a championship atmosphere. She values the student-athlete experience and will work to build relationships with each member of our team as well as our recruits and alumnae. I am happy she can now call St. Louis home."
St. Clair played at Michigan from 2007-10, helping the Wolverines to three Big Ten titles and an appearance in the 2009 Women's College World Series. She earned All-Big Ten First Team honors in 2009 and Third Team accolades in 2010.
During her four-year career at Michigan, St. Clair appeared in 224 games and started 190 behind the plate while she produced a .251 batting average with 18 home runs and 111 RBI. In her final season, she set career highs in home runs (8) and RBI (46) and caught two perfect games and three no-hitters.
Off the field, St. Clair was awarded Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors in 2008 and 2009, in addition to receiving the 2007 and 2009 U-M Academic Athletic Achievement Award.
St. Clair played in the National Pro Fastpitch League with the Akron Racers and Unione Fermana in the A1 Italian League in 2011. She also took part in the NPF Back-to-School Tour that went around the country playing exhibition games against college programs.
A native of Livonia, Mich., St. Clair graduated from Michigan in 2010 with a degree in sport management.
ST. CLAIR HIGHLIGHTS
• Eight years of NCAA Division I coaching
• 2019 MAC Regular Season champions – Miami (Ohio)
• 2016 Horizon League Regular Season champions – Illinois-Chicago
• Two-time All-Big 10 and Academic All-Big 10 at Michigan
• Member of Three Big Ten Championship teams – 2008, 2009, 2010
• Appeared in 2009 College World Series
• Played for Akron Racers in NPFL and Unione Fermana in A1 Italian League