University of St. Francis (III.)

Ali Franzen dedicated nearly a decade of her life to the St. Francis softball program as both a player and a coach and left her marks in the record books in both capacities. 

The Gifford, Ill., native helped lead the Saints to a pair of national tournaments as a pitcher and posted a .629 winning percentage in five seasons as the school's head coach. She compiled a record of 143-84-1 over that stint before stepping down and turning the program back over to Dick Smith, who initially recruited Franzen to play for St. Francis back in 1993. 

Franzen finished her stellar career with 68 victories, including 30 shutouts. She posted a career earned run average of 1.67 and tossed 91 complete games. Her finest season came as a junior when she compiled a 20-8 record with 190 strikeouts in 193.1 innings and was named a second-team NAIA All-American. 

She was a four-time all-district or all-region performer and won or shared the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year award on two occasions. She struck out 552 batters in her career, which stood as the school record until one of her future players -- Meghan Mooberry - shattered it with 730 whiffs from 2001-04.

Just a little more than one year removed from her playing career, Franzen was named the Saints' head coach. She followed Bruce Foote, who coached her during the final three years of her playing career. She stepped down following the 2003 season and was replaced by Smith, who had returned to USF as an assistant coach and began his second tour of duty as the program's head coach. 

St. Francis athletics continues to truly be a family affair. And a family with a pair of good arms, as well. Franzen is joined on the dais tonight by fellow Hall of Fame inductee and pitcher Paul Chovanec, who just happens to be Ali's brother-in-law. Paul is married to Ali's older sister Marissa who, coincidentally, was a star catcher for the Saints from 1992-95.