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Historically, Longwood softball has been one of the university’s premier athletics programs, boasting a storied past that has formed a foundation for present success.

The future looks bright as well.

Head Coach Dr. Megan Brown and Longwood athletics have agreed to a five-year contract extension that will ensure her leadership at the flagship program through the 2029 season.

“Since taking over the program in 2021, Megan has sustained its success through her acumen and fine attention to detail,” said Longwood Athletics Director Tim Hall. “She has been able to keep Longwood Softball at the forefront of Big South play as her teams have consistently been in contention for a championship. And still, she quietly goes about her work ensuring she remains successful, yet more importantly, true to her craft.”

“Megan has shown great promise in just a few year at Longwood,” said Longwood Deputy Athletics Director Tom Mandato, who is the sport administrator for softball. “Her oversight of the program has been smooth, and I trust her to lead this program to many more successes over this tenure. I am pleased with her leadership and know that she has the best interest of herself, the program, and the university in mind at all times.”

Looking back over Brown’s tenure

In Brown’s four seasons at the helm, the Lancers have claimed a share of two Big South regular-season titles, in addition to numerous hallmark wins and team honors that have continued the longstanding legacy of greatness that has been ingrained in the program.

“I would like to thank Director Hall, Mr. Mandato and Longwood University for the opportunity to continue leading the Longwood softball program,” said Dr. Brown, who has compiled a 111-106 overall mark with the Lancers. “I would like to thank [assistant coach] Jordan McNary, [director of softball operations] Josie Epperson, our student manager Kellie Mancino and our athletic trainer Jordan Smith for their tireless work each and every day for our team and the program. We have the pleasure of coaching student-athletes, and, as such, we cannot thank Farrah Young and the amazing faculty of Longwood University enough for their investment in our team’s education and academic excellence as they pursue lifelong goals, amazing degrees and careers that will better the world around them all while competing at the highest levels of our game.”

Over four seasons, Brown has led the program to seven wins against ranked teams or teams receiving votes, including two wins over top-10 teams. The wins over Duke and Florida State give the program the most top 10 wins across department history. In addition, the Lancers also have won five games against Power 5 opposition in four years, and twice in four seasons the Lancers have finished inside the top 75 in RPI.

The results have come against a challenging schedule year in and year out, with the Lancers’ non-conference strength of schedule ranking in the top 65 each season. This year, she won her 100th game as a head coach while facing the 38th toughest non-conference schedule in the nation.

The team has had 23 players earn All-Big South honors under Brown, including a whopping nine this year. Over the past two years, half of the roster has earned a postseason accolade.

Longwood softball secures awards

In addition, the Lancers have had the Big South Player of the Year once, Big South Pitcher of the Year twice and Big South Freshman of the Year once while Brown was named the Big South Coach of the Year in 2023. The team also became the first mid-major team in the country to earn a national Gold Glove award, and four players have earned NFCA All-Region in four seasons.

“We are grateful for the amazing support staff of the entire department who daily support our program on and off the field in so many ways,” Brown said. “And finally, we truly cannot do what we do without the unwavering support of the many friends, family and faithful supporters of Longwood softball. I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity. I am grateful to the extraordinary young ladies who daily give of themselves and give to each other to make Longwood softball great. God has been so good to me and our program the past four years. I am excited to see what the future holds.”

This year, the team had two players earn Longwood University Joan of Arc Excellence Awards as well, in addition to the on-field honors garnered by the program.

The team earned the Cormier Team Award for Academic Excellence in 2023, and the team has had a total of 85 Dean’s List or President’s List selections in the past four seasons. The team has posted its top three GPA’s ever during that span, and they combined for a program-record 3.62 GPA this spring.