CRESSON, Pa. -- The Mount Aloysius Athletic Department is excited to announce the hiring of Kaleigh Roop '16, as the new Head Coach of the Mountie Softball program. She will take the reins following Michelle Ross, who led the program on an interim basis during the 2024 season. Roop most recently served as the Head Softball Coach at Sarah Lawrence College, in Bronxville, NY. She has also made stops as an assistant at the NAIA, NCAA DII, and high school levels.
"We are very excited to bring Kaleigh back to Cresson as our new Head Softball Coach," said Athletic Director Kevin Kime. "She brings a variety of experiences to our department, putting her in a great position to help the program reach the next level. It is also a great opportunity to bring a decorated alum back to lead a team that means so much to her personally."
Roop is no stranger to Mount Aloysius, having graduated as a two-sport athlete in 2016. She was a four-year member of both the Softball and Women's Basketball teams. She appeared in over 240 contests combined, culminating in being named the 2015-16 Mount Aloysius Female Athlete of the Year.
In basketball, she was named the Team MVP in 2015-16 and ranks in the top ten in games played. As a member of the softball team, Roop holds school records for Hit by Pitches in a season and career. She is also in the Division III record book with 19 HBP in the 2015-16 season. As a catcher/designated hitter, Roop ranks fifth in program history with 138 appearances. In 2017, she was named to the All-Decade Team as the Designated Hitter.
During her time as an assistant in the college ranks, Roop spent time at William Woods University and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. At William Woods, she worked with a majority of the position players and helped lead the Owls to the 2022 NAIA National Tournament. While at Minnesota-Duluth, Roop assisted in guiding the Bulldogs to an at-large bid in the 2019 NCAA Division II Tournament, where they appeared in the Central Regional, finishing 33-22 on the year.
Prior to moving into college, Roop spent two seasons coaching at Revere High School and got her coaching career started at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio, her alma mater.
"Returning to Mount Aloysius College to coach where I once played is not just a full-circle moment," said Roop. "It's an exciting opportunity to share my passion and experience with the next generation of Mounties. I'm eager to create new memories and continue our tradition of excellence! A special thank you to Athletic Director Kevin Kime and Assistant Athletic Director Brianna Baker for this incredible opportunity."
Roop graduated from Mount Aloysius in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, while specializing in Sports Management. She then earned her master's degree in Coaching Education from Ohio University in 2021.
