Culver-Stockton’s new softball coach has six years of Division I experience as assistant

CANTON, Mo. – Rod Radcliffe is the new softball coach at Culver-Stockton College. He replaces Anjay Clark, who stepped down in May.

Radcliffe served previously as an assistant coach at Rutgers University of the Big Ten from 2018-20. He also spent four seasons as an assistant at the University of Toledo of the Mid-American Conference. During those six seasons, Radcliffe primarily worked with the outfielders and hitters during his tenure.

“We are extremely excited to add a person with the experience of Coach Radcliffe to our staff,” C-SC Athletic Director Pat Atwell said. “His roots in Iowa will serve him well in recruiting. His experience in the Mid-American Conference and the Big 10 will be invaluable to the students on our softball team.

“Rod has a great sense of who he is and how to lead a softball program. (Radcliffe) and assistant coach Dan Wilcoxson hit it off well in the interview process, which will make for a cohesive team. Rod is the right person at the right time to take this program in a winning direction.”

In one full season (with 2020 canceled due to the pandemic), Rutgers hit a school record 54 home runs. At Toledo, Radcliffe was touted for helping increase the Rockets’ total doubles, home runs, stolen bases and fielding percentage.
 
Radcliffe amassed 223 victories as the head coach at Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minn. He coached two NFCA All-Americans and 25 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honorees. The MIAC named him Coach of the Year in 2013. He held the program record for wins, conference winning percentage and winning streak in a single season. Bethel went to the postseason in five of his final seven seasons, including championship game appearances in 2013 and 2014.

“I am very excited to get started with practice and meeting the softball team at Culver-Stockton,” Radcliffe said. “I want to thank President Palmer, Athletic Director Pat Atwell and the search committee for giving me this opportunity to represent and lead Culver-Stockton on the softball field.”

Radcliffe believes his time as an assistant the last six years will help him build a competitive program at C-SC.

“I enjoyed every minute of my time as an assistant and gained a lot of experience and network of coaches. I’m ready to implement the knowledge of the game that I learned to lead this team,” Radcliffe said. “I see a team that is talented and will be fun to work with. I want to help our athletes strive to succeed on the field and in the classroom.”

Radcliffe coached the United States Team for Competitive Edge International in Thailand and Laos in 2003, 2005 and 2008, and in Myanmar in 2011. Before his time at Bethel, Radcliffe coached at Ackley-Geneva (Iowa) High School, Hampton-Dumont (Iowa) High School and Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College.