Jacqueline Patts

"Norwich University, its governing values, the staff, and students helped to profoundly impact me as a student, an athlete, and as a leader,” stated Coach Patts. “I am thrilled to rejoin the Norwich coaching staff and take on the responsibility of head coaching duties for the women’s softball team."

Building the Next Chapter of Norwich Softball

Few people understand Norwich softball quite like Jacqueline Patts ’00.

A former three-year team captain, First Team All-GNAC selection, and member of Norwich's 2000 GNAC Championship women's basketball team, Patts returned to her alma mater in 2025 to once again lead the softball program she helped shape as both a student-athlete and head coach.

Now entering her second season in her return to The Hill, Patts continues to build a program centered on player development, competitive excellence, and the values that define a Norwich education.

A Foundation for Growth

The 2026 season showcased meaningful progress throughout the program.

Norwich concluded the year with 12 victories while producing one of the most explosive offensive seasons in school history. The Cadets rewrote multiple program records during a doubleheader sweep of Vermont State University Lyndon, including school records for runs scored in a game (45), doubles in a game (13), and hits in a game (35), while tying the program record with 36 RBIs.

The offensive surge reflected the confidence, preparation, and aggressive style Patts has emphasized since returning to Norwich.

Developing Outstanding Student-Athletes

Patts' greatest success has been the continued development of her student-athletes.

Junior pitcher and shortstop Madison DeCota enjoyed one of the finest seasons in program history, becoming just the third player ever to earn Great Northeast Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors while securing First Team All-GNAC recognition for the second consecutive season. Grace Richardson represented Norwich on the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team, recognizing her character and sportsmanship throughout the season.

Following the season, DeCota added one of the highest honors in collegiate athletics by earning College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Second Team recognition. She became just the second softball student-athlete in Norwich history to receive Academic All-America honors and the University's 25th Academic All-American across all sports.

Excellence in the Classroom

Academic achievement remains a cornerstone of Patts philosophy.

The Academic All-America recognition earned by DeCota reflects the balance that Norwich student-athletes strive to achieve between success in competition and excellence in the classroom.

Patts challenges her players to pursue the same discipline, preparation, and accountability academically that they bring to every practice and game, reinforcing Norwich University's commitment to developing graduates prepared for success long after their playing careers conclude.

A Norwich Perspective

As both a Norwich graduate and head coach, Patts understands the unique experience of being a Cadet student-athlete.

Her own career included recognition as a three-year team captain, First Team All-GNAC selection, and one of the program's most accomplished hitters. She continues to rank among the program's career leaders in batting average, hits, RBIs, and triples while also helping the Norwich women's basketball team capture the 2000 GNAC Championship.

Those experiences continue to shape the expectations she sets for today's student-athletes.

Coaching Highlights

• Norwich alumna and former three-year softball team captain
• Returned to lead the softball program for a second tenure as head coach
• Guided one of the most productive offensive seasons in program history
• Led Norwich to multiple single-game offensive program records during the 2026 season
• Coached Madison DeCota to GNAC Player of the Year and First Team All-GNAC honors
• Mentored Norwich's second softball Academic All-American in program history

Patts continues to build a program grounded in player development, academic excellence, and the enduring values of Norwich University.

Q&A with Coach Patts

What brought you to becoming a coach for your sport?

Softball can be so electric. When you are the winning run pushing off from second base and you catch the coach's right arm circling over and over for you to round third and head for home with all your might, the belief that the coach has full faith in you as you sprint as hard as you can, sliding arms first under the catcher and beating the tag at the plate, scoring the winning run, and jumping up and looking back at the coach in pure joy and excitement is such a spiritual and magical moment of connection between player and coach. This short amount of time repays all the hard work and effort, the failure and frustration, the sweat and tears, and in that one moment of success, changes the trajectory of the athlete's confidence indefinitely. It's for those moments why I love coaching softball.

Athletics has always been an integral part of my life, and in coming back to Norwich, I was eager to give back my time and share my passion with a new generation of Norwich athletes. Rebuilding and setting the bar high for these athletes to advance their skill set and compete with integrity and pride is my overall goal for this season.

What excites you about this sport?

Fastpitch softball is a game of mental toughness, physical skill, and a little bit of luck! Nothing beats the buzz in the air when teammates advance one another on the bases or big-time plays are executed on the field.

What excites you about working with student-athletes?

Players are students first. Their academics consume much of their time, but for a few hours each day, they come together as teammates, as a collective unit, and work towards a common goal. These young adults bring all different backgrounds and experiences with them. It is my great honor watching them weave themselves into the Norwich fabric and come together as one body that fights for one another on and off the field. As a coach, I love watching them challenge themselves and one another as they advance on their athletic journey. When they graduate, it brings great pleasure reflecting on their individual growth, what mark they made on the team, and knowing that wherever they go next, a little bit of Norwich University softball will always be a part of them.

What do you like about coaching at Norwich?

Norwich is such a special and unique place, mainly in the three different lifestyle choices: Corps of Cadets, traditional, and commuter being on one campus. When they put on their practice attire or dress in their game uniform, it doesn't matter which barrack or dorm they sleep in. They are all Norwich student-athletes working their hardest to represent the pride of being a Norwich Cadet.

Why is Norwich a great place for student-athletes?

"Expect Challenge, Achieve Distinction" was a previous motto of the school. It applies even so today. Students come to Norwich seeking character and leadership development. They understand that they will face challenges in their academics, in their Corps of Cadets training, and/or in their athletic/club experiences. They are not fearful of the work that goes into overcoming the challenge. In fact, they thrive in it and sometimes seek it out, knowing it is molding them into more knowledgeable and experienced student-athletes.

What is your approach to coaching?

I aim to build a competitive and strong team culture of player development and personal responsibility, fostering a place of commitment and accountability, while helping to push and encourage each athlete to work towards meeting their full potential as a student-athlete.

What is Norwich's approach to athletics, training, and being on a team?

Being a Norwich athlete is a privilege. As a Norwich athlete, one gets to put on the uniform that brands the name Cadets and compete against other institutions around the U.S. When competition faces Norwich University, they understand that this Norwich team is predictably fierce, disciplined, scrappy, and competitive.