Bill Shipman joined the WMU softball program as an assistant coach in October of 2023 and serves as an assistant coach.
With his analytical and coaching expertise, Shipman is poised to contribute significantly to the continued success of the WMU softball program in the 2024 season.
Prior to joining Western Michigan, Shipman secured an Amateur Softball Association Championship, achieved 3rd Place in ASA Gold, and clinched 3rd place in Premier Girls Fastpitch nationals. His leadership and coaching abilities have played a pivotal role in helping young athletes excel at the highest levels of competition. His coaching expertise has not only resulted in athletic excellence, but he has also advanced a countless number of athletes to the NCAA Division 1 level securing college scholarships.
Shipman graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor's in Business Administration in 2022. Shipman's academic achievements underscore his commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
Bill is married to his wife Lorri, and has four children Amanda, Maddi, Billy, and Ally. He also has five grandchildren.
2024:
In his first season with the Brown and Gold, Shipman helped bolster WMU's offense and guided junior Payton Kelly to an All-MAC First Team selection and senior Haley Boxwell to an All-MAC Second Team nod. During the '24 campaign, Kelly saw a career year at the plate, posting a .351 batting average along with 53 hits, 25 RBI, 25 runs scored, and eight doubles. As for Boxwell, she hit .331 and added 24 RBI, 10 doubles, and blasted three home runs.
Shipman's expertise and leadership helped the Brown and Gold set a plethora of team and individual records, from junior Riley Dittmar's record of 19 games reaching base safely, to WMU's 10 runs over Abilene Christian University, which was the program's most runs scored in a season opener since 2010. Shipman had an immediate impact across the offensive board, and it withstood throughout the entire season. The Brown and Gold finished 2024 ranked inside the top 10 in six different WMU single-season offensive categories, from team batting average (sixth highest in single-season history) to doubles hit (sixth most produced in single-season history).
Under Shipman's guidance, many Broncos achieved widespread joint offensive feats including Kelly and Dittmar, who became the first Broncos to tally at least 70 bases since 2018. The duo would also become the first two teammates to produce 50 hits each during a single season since 2021. Additionally, Megan Welsh, Rissa Bajusz, Boxwell, Kelly, and Dittmar became the first five teammates since 2017 to register over 20 RBI in a campaign...
