Stock steps aside at BG
Laura Stock, who coached the Buffalo Grove softball team to 328 of its 504 wins in 37 years, has decided to step down after 18 seasons.
The former Prospect softball star and Wisconsin-Parkside All-American recently made her decision.
"This wasn't an easy decision and was not something I planned for," said Stock, the winningest pitcher in Prospect softball history with 79 wins from 1985 to 1987. "But at this time, it is the right decision for me. I don't know at this point if it will be a temporary hiatus or a more permanent retirement."
Stock has also directed an underlevel girls basketball team for the past 18 years, which means she has basically coached from the last week in October to the first week in June since 1993.
She is also a special education teacher at Buffalo Grove and has conducted summer softball camps.
"I'll miss working with kids in this capacity, but over the years I've developed quite a few long-standing relationships with former players and parents that I value greatly," said Stock, who was preceded by Paula Von Gerichten, Ann Penstone, Doug Donoho and Mary Welpton as BG varsity softball coaches. "Those will continue whether I'm actively coaching or not."
Among her top teams were the 1997 squad (26-9, second regional championship in school history), 1998 (32-3, Mid-Suburban League championship, school-record 24-game winning streak) and 1999 (30-5, MSL title).
Stock coached 28 all-conference selections and 20 of the program's 22 Daily Herald all-area players.
Among the most notable are first-team all-staters Lindsey Hamma (Illinois, Chicago Bandits) and Andrea DiPrima (Northwestern recruit), second-team all-stater Kate Stake (Illinois State), all-state special mention Kim Czapla (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) and all-state honorable mention KC Dunne (Western Illinois recruit).
DiPrima was selected to the 2010 NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-American first team.
DiPrima and Dunne were also recently named to the 2010 NFCA/Louisville Slugger All Region first team while other standouts under Stock's guidance were Beth Bonuso (Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she is currently an assistant coach), Megan Kuebler (University of Missouri-St. Louis), Melissa Counley (Western Illinois), Erin Bravo (Parkside and Whitewater), Joanna Weber, Lindsay Weber, Megan O'Malley (Bradley University), Megan Lee (Illinois Wesleyan), Katie Lee (Marquette) and Stephanie Rudolfi (Ball State).
"I have always enjoyed coaching and I have remained pretty consistent in my approach," Stock said. "A lot has changed in the past 18 years and I tend to hold on to a more of an 'old school' mentality where the rules are the rules and apply equally to everybody.
"Softball has been a huge part of my life for many years from high school, to paying for
my college education, to being a stepping stone to an opportunity for a career as a special education teacher. It's a great sport that can create a world of opportunities for young women."
BG officials are currently searching for a new coach.
The Bison are expected to return five players entering their fourth year on varsity, including Division 1 recruits DiPrima and Dunne. This year's 18-18 team did not graduate any players.