Hempstead, NY – In a special and surprise announcement during Sunday's banner ceremony recognizing the incredible career of Bill Edwards, Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway announced that the Hofstra Softball Stadium would be renamed in honor of Edwards and will now be known as Bill Edwards Stadium.

Hathaway made the announcement prior to Hofstra's game against Elon to recognize Edwards amazing 25-year career as the head coach of the Hofstra Softball program. 

"Bill Edwards defines Hofstra Softball," commented Hathaway. "His values, dedication, determination and role as an educator have made the Pride softball program what it is today. The success of the softball team on a local, regional and national level are due to his hard work during a quarter century of exemplary service to Hofstra University. This is a well-deserved honor recognizing one of the all-time bests to ever be associated with Hofstra Athletics. We congratulate Coach Edwards on this and look forward to the Hofstra Softball program capturing many more wins and championships at Bill Edwards Stadium."

Edwards crafted a remarkable career as Hofstra's softball coach from 1990-2014 that spanned 1,350 games. He posted a 928-419-3 record and led Hofstra to all 15 of the program's NCAA Tournament appearances. Under his guidance, Hofstra captured 18 postseason conference championships, including 10 Colonial Athletic Association titles.

Edwards' extraordinary run of success led to his 2009 enshrinement in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame. During his tenure, the Pride never posted a losing record and finished at least 10 games better than .500 in 23 of his 25 seasons. In February 2014 Edwards earned career victory No. 900, making him just the 23rd Division I coach in history to reach 900 career wins and he finished his career with a .687 winning percentage. He is the winningest coach of any program in the history of the Hofstra Department of Athletics.

His career record places him in elite company in the sport's history. Despite starting his collegiate softball coaching career after a successful stint as a college hockey coach at Iona and as a coach and educator for three decades in the Commack school district on Long Island, Edwards is currently ranked 21st on the NCAA Division I Softball Coaches all-time victories list.

Edwards was named the Regional Coach of the Year 12 times in his career (1993-95, 1997, 2000, 2003-05, 2007-08, and 2012-13). He earned CAA Coach of the Year six consecutive seasons from 2008 to 2013 and was the America East Coach of the Year in 1995 and 1999.

Under his tutelage five players earned All-America honors from the NFCA – twice by Crystal Boyd (1993, 1994) and Olivia Galati (2012, 2013), and once by Alicia Smith (2000), Lisa Ciavardini (2000) and Amanda Hallaway (2003). Galati was the program's first-ever first-team All-American in 2012.

The Pride won 25 NCAA Tournament games under Edwards including victories over perennial power programs such as UCLA, Nebraska, Stanford, Missouri, South Florida, Oklahoma State and Arizona State.