in 2017, the golden tigers softball team played its inaugural season at ernest ledford grindle athletics park, the first of its kind for the university. the team had a record-setting year as ssac conference champions, with head coach devon thomas named the 2017 ssac coach of the year for leading his squad in his 15th season to an unprecedented 30-0 record, including conference tournament play, and a no. 2 national ranking. the tigers went 48-5 overall in the regular season. thomas and assistant coaches gary hatfield and mike ledford were also selected as the 2017 east region softball staff of the year and were among six staff finalists for the national coaching staff of the year.