Lori Meyer
Lori Meyer is an American former softball coach who served as the head coach for the Minnesota State Mavericks softball team for 41 years. She compiled a record of 1,444–769–3 at Minnesota State, and is the winningest coach in NCAA Division II history.
Early life
Meyer attended Upper Iowa University and played volleyball, basketball and softball. She then attended Minnesota State University, Mankato where she graduated with a master's degree in physical education in 1985.Coaching career
Meyer began her coaching career at Minnesota State in 1985. She helped lead the Mavericks to three North Central Conference championships and five Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles. The Mavericks also advanced to the NCAA Division II softball tournament 18 times, with three appearances in the NCAA National Championship. In 2013, she was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame. On April 18, 2014, she earned her 1,000th career win, becoming the 26th coach in softball history to reach the milestone.During the 2017 season, she led the Mavericks to a 64–7 record, and the NCAA Division II National Championship, their first championship in program history. Their 64 wins are a program record, and the second most wins in NCAA Division II history by a national champion. On March 1, 2023, she became the winningest coach in NCAA Division II history with 1,341 wins, surpassing the previous record of 1,340 wins held by Gary Bryce.
On May 16, 2025, Meyer announced her retirement as head coach of Minnesota State after 41 seasons. She finished her career with a 1,444-769-3 record and is the winningest coach in NCAA Division II history, and ranks sixth in wins in the history of college softball, regardless of division. Following her retirement she was named Special Assistant to the Athletic Director at Minnesota State.