Union University Athletics

Twitter: @Mackenzie_Sher

Mackenzie Sher was named the fifth head coach of the Union University softball program in August fo 2018. Sher comes to Union after splitting four seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi College. Her career record at Union is 52-62 (.456).

Sher is entering her fourth season as head coach at Union. During the 2020 season, Sher led the Lady Bulldogs to a 15-10 record before the remainder of the season was canceled due to COVID-19. 

In 2019, Sher led Union to their second ever Gulf South Conference Championship since 2015. She also led the Lady Bulldogs to a No. 9 ranking, the highest region ranking for Union softball. Her team appeared in the South Region Rankings for two consecutive weeks for the first time in program history. The 2019 team also set a Union record with 46 home runs on the season. 

Sher was the assistant coach in 2017 and 2018 at fellow Gulf South Conference school Mississippi College. Her duties were primarily to coach the hitters, outfielders, and catchers. In 2018, the team stats increased in extra base hits, batting averaging, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, while also reducing total strikeouts. Her players earned numerous weekly and postseason honors. In 2017 at Mississippi College, she helped lead the softball team to the GSC Tournament title and an appearance in the the NCAA DII South Region Tournament. Her team was ranked nationally and again received numerous weekly and postseason honors. 

Before her two years at Mississippi College, Sher spent two years as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Southern Mississippi. She helped lead one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Southern Mississippi softball history, posting the first winning season for the Golden Eagles since 2004. Again, she coached the hitters and catchers, seeing increases in offensive stats, while also setting school records for fewest passed balls and fewest stolen bases against. 

Sher graduated with a degree in psychology from Southern Mississippi in 2014 after starting behind the plate for four seasons with the Golden Eagles. She also earned a Master's of Science Degree in Sports Management from USM in 2016. 

Sher finished her playing career ranked in the top-10 in school history in home runs (4th), sacrifice flies (4th), putouts (6th), fielding percentage (6th), and total chances (9th). She was named Academic All-Conference USA twice, only the second USM softball player to earn the award more than once. She also earned the 2014 Southern Miss Outstanding Female GPA Award. Sher earned the Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal and Honor Roll all four years. 

In addition to her playing and coaching highlights, Sher was honored to be the guest speaker at the 8-Under Little League World Series Opening Ceremonies and the Louisiana High School Coaches Association in 2016. She earned the USM Staff Council Award in 2015, Spirit of Service Award in 2014, and the Conference USA Jim Castaneda Postgraduate Scholarship Award in 2014. 

Sher is a native of Bellaire, Texas where she graduated in 2010 from Bellaire High School. She is the daughter of Michael and Janet Sher. 
 

Union's All-Time Coaching Win/Loss Records
(NAIA 1995-2012; NCAA DII 2013-present)