Fifty years since its incorporation into the Athletics department, we celebrate softball’s role in advancing women’s sports at UNO and setting a precedent for future generations of female athletes.
The first UNO Women’s Softball team in 1969 with coach Connie Claussen back row, left. Claussen played a crucial role in establishing and promoting the softball program. Her efforts not only helped the team succeed but also laid the groundwork for future women’s sports programs at the university.
The enactment of Title IX, the 1972 law that mandated gender equity in educational programs, including athletics, led to increased financial support for women’s sports, including softball, allowing for better equipment, facilities and eventually travel opportunities. Softball was incorporated into the Athletics department in 1975, the same year they won the Women’s College World Series held in Omaha.
In 2001, they finished the season with an impressive overall record of 54-6 and won the NCAA Division II National Championship, marking one of the highest achievements in the program’s history. This solidified UNO’s reputation as a powerhouse in collegiate softball and contributed significantly to the program’s legacy.
On March 19, 2021, UNO opened a state-of-the-art softball facility, its first on-campus home since the inception of the program. It is named Connie Claussen Field at Maverick Park.
For the first time in the Division I era, the 2023 Omaha Mavericks were Summit League Champions, making their Division I NCAA Tournament debut. They successfully defended that title in 2024, earning back-to-back championships.
