LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Kutztown softball head coach Judy Lawes was one of four representatives to be inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame, class of 2025, with the ceremony held Friday night, Dec. 12, in Las Vegas, Nev.
 
The other three members of the class include former University of Georgia head coach Lu Harris-Champer, University of Texas at Tyler head coach Mike Reed and VA Glory founder and owner Suzy Willemssen.
 
Lawes is entering her 39th season in charge of the KU program, the longest tenured head coach at KU. She holds a record of 1,175-664-2, ranking second among active Division II head coaches and is eighth overall heading into the 2026 season.
 
The Golden Bears have registered 36 winning seasons during her time in Kutztown, including a school-record 52 in 2012 and seven more with 40-plus victories. A nine-time PSAC East Coach of the Year, Lawes has guided the Maroon and Gold to 24 PSAC playoff appearances, nine division titles, and two tournament championships. They have reached the NCAA Tournament 23 times, winning three Atlantic Region crowns and playing in two National Championships, finishing as the national runner-up in 2013 and national semifinalist in 2012. Under her tutelage, 13 Golden Bears have earned NFCA All-America honors and 79 more have earned NFCA All-Region recognition.
 
Last season, the Maroon and Gold finished with 43 victories, their most since 2012. They were NCAA Regional champions for the second straight season and third in the last four, advancing to the Super Regionals.
 
Lawes also has garnered the KU Female Coach of the Year award in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2022 - presented to the KU Coach of the Year for women's athletics.
 
Lawes came to KU in 1987 as head softball and women's tennis coach and assistant women's basketball coach. She held the basketball position until 1990 and the tennis position until 1991.
 
A graduate of Shippensburg University, Lawes received her bachelor's degree in communications in 1984 and her master's degree in counseling/student personnel from Shippensburg in 1987. In October 2001, she was inducted into Shippensburg's Athletic Hall of Fame for her record-setting accomplishments as a softball and tennis player.