Wheaton, Ill. – Katie East has announced her resignation as head softball coach at Wheaton College. East notes of her decision, "After five amazing years at Wheaton, it is with great sadness that I am resigning as head coach of the softball program. Later this summer, my family will be moving out of state." She notes, "I enjoyed my time here at Wheaton immensely and will miss the wonderful student-athletes and incredibly supportive families and friends in this community. It was a blessing working with my colleagues and fellow coaches and I am thankful to have been a part of Wheaton Athletics as both a player and coach."

In five seasons (2013-17) as head coach of the Thunder softball program, East compiled a 101-94 career record, including four winning seasons in the five-year span. The program set numerous offensive, pitching and overall team records in her tenure at the helm of the Thunder.

Wheaton Athletic Director Julie Davis states of East, "I am grateful for the way Katie East has served our softball student-athletes. The softball program has reached new heights under her leadership, and I am grateful for her commitment in developing students and the program." Davis concludes, "I wish Katie and her family the best, she will be missed."

East's 2015 Thunder softball team won 24 games to establish a new program record for victories. East and her staff was named the 2015 CCIW Coaching Staff of the Year.

In 2016, Wheaton established numerous school records in a 32-14 season that broke the school record for wins in a single season. She guided Wheaton to the 2016 CCIW Softball Tournament Championship for the first time in program history as the program made its first NCAA Softball Championship appearance and earned its first NCAA Tournament win.

East mentions of the program's success in her time, "I am very proud of what we have accomplished over the last five years for the Thunder softball program. What these young women have poured into this program has amazed me. They have made it more competitive and have created a culture of hard work, dedication and commitment to glorify the Lord on and off the field.  I am excited to see the program continue to grow and be successful in its next chapter."

A 2011 Wheaton graduate, East was a four-year letterwinner for the Thunder as a centerfielder. She was a First Team National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Great Lakes Region selection, and CCIW First Team All-Conference pick as a senior. As a senior in 2011, she set Wheaton's single-season record for hits (62) and stolen bases (26). She also owns the Wheaton career stolen bases record with 52.

Davis notes that a national search to hire a new softball coach will begin immediately.