Schutt Sports has hired of Dianne Baker as National Promotions Manager, Softball. Dianne brings over 29 years of softball coaching experience to Schutt, most recently as head coach at Texas Woman’s University. Baker has been a part of the Schutt team in a consultant capacity for softball promotions since 2002.

“What better person to act as a liaison to coaches than a well-respected, hall of fame coach who has proven to be passionate about our brand?” noted David Jones, Director of Marketing for Schutt. “Dianne has been involved with Schutt for several years, and we are thrilled to have her join our team full-time.”

Dianne’s responsibilities will include promoting Schutt’s products and brand throughout the country. She will work with her former colleagues and current players to identify issues and ideas for the Schutt development team so the company can continue to be the leader in softball protective equipment.

Baker has the background to serve well in this capacity. As a player, she was a four-year starter at shortstop for Texas Woman’s University. It was there that she also lettered in five varsity sports. As a coach, Dianne has 29 years under her belt – 24 at the collegiate level. Baker had an incredible 15-year coaching run at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she also served as the university's assistant athletics director from 1982-95. She led the Ladyjacks to an NCAA Division II national championship in 1986, the first and only national team title in the school’s 80-year history. Returning to her alma mater in 1995, she had an eight-year TWU record of 264-140-2 (.650) and an overall career record of 764-437-3 (.635) in 24 years, establishing her among the winningest coaches in NCAA history. Baker captured her 700th career win on March 2, 2003, against Oklahoma Panhandle State. Baker’s coaching honors include being named the 1999, 2002, and 2004 LSC South Division Coach of the Year, 1986 NCAA Div. II National Coach of the Year, 1985 and 1986 Regional Coach of the Year, and the 1984 Gulf Coast Conference (GCC) Coach of the Year. Baker's teams have won the 1986 GCC title, 1990 Southland Conference title and the 2002 LSC South Division title. Baker was inducted into the SFA Ladyjacks Hall of Honor in 1987, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998, and was named a NCAA Silver Anniversary Award Winner in 2000. She has coached 20 All-Americans and one Olympian.