FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Calvin University head coach Becky Hilgert has been named the 2026 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Softball Coach of the Year after leading the Knights through another standout season marked by national relevance, signature victories, and postseason success.

In her 10th season at the helm, Hilgert guided Calvin to a 13-3 MIAA regular-season record and the No. 2 seed in the 2026 MIAA Softball Tournament Presented by Collegiate Credit Union. The Knights' season was highlighted by two major victories over nationally-ranked Trine University—ranked second in the country—including one during conference play and another in tournament competition.

Calvin's strong body of work earned the program an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second time in three years, one of 22 at-large selections nationally. The Knights finished 33rd in the final NCAA Division III National Power Index (NPI).

This marks Calvin's 15th NCAA Division III Tournament appearance overall and the fifth under Hilgert's leadership. At 30-13 overall, the Knights reached the 30-win mark for just the fourth time in school history and for the second time in the last three seasons.

Hilgert's sustained excellence has positioned Calvin among the nation's top programs. She currently ranks 22nd among active Division III softball coaches with at least five years of experience in career winning percentage at .691.

"I am humbled to be honored with this award by my coaching colleagues in the MIAA," commented Hilgert. "We have an extremely competitive softball league and coaches who run incredibly successful programs. I respect them all immensely and our battles on the field. Our players believed in and executed our mission this season to not only compete for a conference championship but to get back to the NCAA Tournament. Both of those were high goals in our locker room, and I credit our leadership group for guiding and mentoring those who haven't experienced some of these moments yet in their young careers. Most of all I want to recognize my coaching staff for being incredible partners and investing so much time and energy to our program. This is a program and coaching staff award, and I want to thank Christie, Lina, Abi and Cindy as our team would not have had the success it has had this year without their knowledge, capabilities and dedication to our program."

The Knights are scheduled to open NCAA Division III Tournament play on Thursday, May 14, against Bethany Lutheran at 2:30 p.m. EDT on the campus of Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota.