Bob Brookens
Head Coach

Record at SU: 261-109 (.705)
Career Record: 261-109 (.705)
Office Phone: 717-477-1328
E-mail: rgbroo@ship.edu

Bob Brookens enters his eighth season as Shippensburg head softball coach in 2008 after serving as the team’s assistant coach from 1997-2000.

Brookens has guided the team from a rebuilding season in 2001 to the NCAA Division II National Championships in 2003 and 2004. The team finished 2004 with a record of 48-6 overall, while going 21-2 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division en route to winning the PSAC championship and NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Championship for the second consecutive year.

In 2003 and 2004, Coach Brookens was awarded the PSAC Eastern Division Coach of the Year and the NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year award for his efforts. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association also cited Shippensburg as having the Coaching Staff of the Year in the region.

In 2001, Brookens first season as head coach, the Lady Raiders were in a rebuilding season but were highly competitive. Shippensburg finished third in the PSAC East and just missed earning a berth in the championships tournament by one game. The Lady Raiders were 27-21 overall and 15-9 in league play. Then in 2002 Shippensburg challenged for conference honors, playing in both the PSAC and NCAA Division II tournaments. The Lady Raiders had a 35-19 overall record and Brookens was named PSAC Eastern Division Coach of the Year for the first time. 2003 saw a 37-14 overall record, finishing the year with a fifth place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Brookens has been coaching softball for over 25 years on different levels. He has also been a head coach of the Fastrax of Chambersburg, a traveling ASA team. He guided the Fastrax to the ASA national championship tournaments in 1998 and 1999. He also was assistant coach at Chambersburg High School from 1983 to 1995 and a coach in the Guilford Little League for five years.

Brookens and his wife Sue have three grown children, Paula, Bobbi Jo, and Shawn.

Ben DeShong
Assistant Coach

Ben DeShong is returning for his seventh year as assistant coach to the Lady Raider softball team. In 2003 and 2004, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association named Shippensburg as the Coaching Staff of the Year in the region, following consecutive NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Championships and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships.

As an asset to the coaching staff, coach DeShong has proved to be an invaluable member of the staff, volunteering much time and hard work. Coach D’s knowledge of the game has contributed greatly to make Shippensburg’s softball program the best it can be. Ben looks forward to another successful season, and his continual presence, and positive guidance will help see the Lady Raiders to another postseason appearance.

Ben is married and lives with his wife, Jenny, in the Newburg area. They have two grown children, Heath and Jamie.