Head Coach Tory Acheson had 13 players named All-American. His teams were named an Academic Top Ten Team all six of his seasons at Parkside by the NFCA and ranked as high as third in Division II in 1997. Acheson has a record of 430264-1 at Tennessee Tech and is only the fourth coach in Tech athletics history with 400 career wins. As a twotime OVC Coach of the Year (2003 and 2006), he has led the Golden Eagles to four regular season titles as well as five OVC tournament championships. His teams have also participated in an NCAA play-in game in 2001, and played four times in the NCAA Regionals (Texas 2003, Georgia 2005, Knoxville 2006, Tuscaloosa 2007). Since his arrival, the Golden Eagles have used a combination of strong non-conference competition and a tough league schedule to be a force at the national level annually. Winning has been something Acheson has done wherever he has been. In 1995, Acheson led Parkside to its first NCAA Division II national tournament where the Rangers finished fourth. The season included an upset win over Division I Top 10 foe Nebraska. The following year, his team was ranked number one in the national Division II polls from the second week
Acheson guided Tech to its third consecutive NCAA Regional appearance in 2007 where they beat #5 Alabama then downed California on ESPN2.
until the final poll. That team finished 64-6-1 overall, won the program’s first Great Lakes Valley Conference title and earned a return trip to the NCAA tournament where it claimed seventh place. In 1997, Parkside reached new heights under Acheson, compiling its second-straight 60-win season (6210), repeated as GLVC champs and placed second in the national tournament. In 1998, his team compiled a 40-20 overall record, including a 22-7 mark in conference match-ups, while playing only seven home games. In addition to his work on the field, Tory is a frequent speaker at camps and clinics throughout the Midwest and Southeast, including the NCAA Yes Clinic at the NCAA national championships. He has been involved with player development through summer camps and clinics, reaching more than 1,000 young players each year. A native of Dubuque, Iowa, Tory earned both his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and his master’s degree from UW-Milwaukee. After nine seasons as head softball coach at Whitnall (Wis.) High School, he was named softball coach at Parkside in 1993. He also served as facilities/program manager for the athletic department as well as associate professor for five years. Acheson and his staff take great pride in their facilities, which they have made improvement to every season. Last year, he built an obstacle course for use by student-athletes to hone their physical skills and fitness. He also recycled discarded seats from the Hooper Eblen Center and attached them to the bleachers at the softball field to provide a more comfortable seating area for fans. Other renovations from years past include two decks atop either dugout that provide better viewing areas for patrons. His wife, Terry, has served as his assistant coach throughout his career. The couple has a son, Chuck, who is currently in his fifth year at Tennessee Tech.
Record at Tech
430-264-1 (.620) 11 Seasons Career Record
720-345-2 (.696) 18 Seasons
Tennessee Tech Softball
vs. 2010 Opponents
Acheson Tech at Tech all-time Alabama State.................0-0.................. 0-0 Austin Peay.......................29-1............... 58-17 Ball State............................1-0.................. 1-2 Belmont.............................20-2............... 22-2 Campbell...........................1-2.................. 1-2 Eastern Illinois..................25-8............... 28-11 Eastern Kentucky............33-15............. 46-27 East Tennessee State.....10-3............... 10-3 Jacksonville State...........14-13............. 16-14 James Madison................0-0.................. 0-0 Kansas.................................0-2.................. 0-2 Kennesaw State...............6-4.................. 6-4 Liberty................................2-0-1.............. 2-0-1 Lipscomb...........................9-5.................. 9-5 Mercer................................2-2.................. 6-3 Miami (Ohio)....................0-1.................. 1-6 Middle Tennessee...........5-12............... 17-20 Mississippi.........................1-1.................. 1-1 Missouri-Kansas City.....0-0.................. 0-0 Morehead State...............26-5............... 51-27 Murray State.....................0-0.................. 0-0 NC-Greensboro...............0-0.................. 0-0 Oakland..............................1-0.................. 1-0 Southeast Missouri........24-14............. 35-34 Tennessee..........................0-13............... 0-14 Tennessee State..............24-7............... 45-8 UT Chattanooga..............4-4.................. 4-6 UT Martin...........................26-8............... 39-18 Western Carolina............0-1.................. 0-1 Western Illinois................0-0.................. 0-0 Western Kentucky..........5-4.................. 5-4 Wright State......................0-1.................. 1-2
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