CEDAR CITY, July 18 ? Jodi Hermanek, Southern Utah University's softball coach for the past four seasons, has resigned to take a similar position at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

Hermanek coached the Thunderbirds to two regular-season and two post-season conference championships as well as to SUU's first two appearances in the NCAA Softball tournament and the team's first NCAA tournament win. Along the way she also coached a pair of players who were named Mid-Continent Conference (now Summit League) Players of the Year, Tiffany Burt and two-time honoree Marci Pratt.

Over her four years at SUU, Hermanek coached 18 all-conference players while her teams virtually re-wrote the Thunderbird record books. She compiled an overall record of 107-122-1, including a 63-24 conference mark with the Thunderbirds, while playing a difficult schedule which included non-conference games against some of the best teams in the nation on an annual basis.

"I want to thank Southern Utah University, specifically the athletic department administration, coaches, and support staff, for the home [they've] helped me feel welcome in for the past for seasons,” Hermanek said in a prepared statement. “As I look forward to my new start at Ohio University, I'm expectedly sad to leave "My Girls".

“The foundation of T-Bird softball was laid solidly before my time here, I just added a bit of myself to the structure and now it's time for new levels to be added to this home," she added.

“We appreciate what Jodi has done to elevate the softball program over the past four years and wish her well in her new assignment,” SUU Director of Athletics Ken Beazer said. “Her teams have competed well on the field and performed well off the field.”

Hermanek will begin her duties at Ohio U. in early August. A search for her replacement will begin immediately.