Softball | 7/12/2021 9:43:00 AM
Chad Muise has been named the Head Coach for the Houghton College softball program, Director of Athletics
Matthew Webb announced on Monday, July 12.
Muise comes to Houghton from Messiah College where he had been serving as the top assistant coach for the baseball program for the past three seasons. He also was working in Messiah's office of admission.
Muise is a 2015 Houghton graduate where he was a reliever for the Highlanders' baseball team. Coming out of the pen, Muise appeared in 29 games, logging 52.1 innings while pitching to a 3.52 ERA.
"I am excited to welcome Chad Muise to the Houghton athletic department as our next head softball coach. Coach Muise is an experienced collegiate coach, with additional recruiting experience, having served in admission at three different institutions," said Webb. "His background and familiarity with Houghton both as an alum and having served in our admission office will provide a unique perspective and institutional knowledge that will serve our softball program well. Coach Muise's leadership and vision for Houghton softball program is clear and supports our mission of competing with excellence and 'Excellence for the Glory of God.'"
Following graduation from Houghton, Muise worked a year as an admission counselor and as a pitching coach for the Highlanders baseball program before moving back to his home country of Canada, where he worked two years as a senior admission counselor at Tyndale University and coached the North York Blue under-15 team in the North York Baseball Association.
His coaching experience also includes work with the Hornell, N.Y. under-18 legion team.
He returned to the U.S. to pursue his master's degree at Messiah in 2018 and began working for the Falcons baseball program. As the top assistant, Muise gained extensive experience in recruiting, on-field coaching and program and camp administration, and he served as the head coach of the developmental varsity team. He also served as an intern for Messiah's compliance and communications office.
"I am incredibly thankful to Dr. Webb and President Lewis for welcoming me back to campus. I am honored for the opportunity to continue building up the Houghton Highlanders softball program and to work alongside current members of the athletic department," said Muise. "My time as a student-athlete is where the challenges and competition I faced surrounded by a positive and intentionally constructive environment, led to many of my most meaningful relationships and times of growth.
"To be able to serve by leading a program that cares about pursuing excellence and growth spiritually, athletically, academically, and in character is a dream come true. I know I am joining an outstanding group of women already committed to the future of Houghton softball."
Muise graduated from Houghton with a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in sports ministry. He holds a master's degree in higher education with a concentration in collegiate athletics from Messiah.
Muise is the fifth coach of the program since Houghton reinstated softball in 2012. He will begin his tenure in early August.