SUPERIOR, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Superior and Yellowjacket Athletics have announced that, following a national search Melissa Fracker has been named head softball coach. Fracker takes over the Yellowjacket program from Nick Bursik, who has served as the interim head coach the past two seasons.
 
"Throughout the search process the conversations the committee was having kept coming back to Melissa and how she checked all the boxes we were looking for," Bursik said. "We are very excited to be able to bring someone with Melissa's background, experience, and passion for the game to UW-Superior."
 
Fracker comes to UW-Superior after serving as an assistant coach at Western Connecticut State University since 2013. During her time there, Fracker assisted the head coach with the overall operation of the program and worked extensively in the recruitment of student-athletes. Fracker helped the Colonials to a pair of Little East Conference championships and two NCAA tournament appearances. She has also coached a local travel team, the Bethel Blast, the past eight years.
 
Away from the field, Fracker has served as the executive director of the Danbury Police Activities League since 2017.
 
"I am excited about the opportunity to take over as the head of the UW-Superior softball team. Softball is a sport I am very passionate about and the UW-Superior program has seen success on the conference and national levels," Fracker said. "I am thrilled with the professional opportunity to lead a program with this type of history."
 
Fracker spent four years as a player at WCSU, where she broke into the top ten in all-time games played. A native of Sandy Hook, Connecticut, Fracker graduated from WCSU in 2012 with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education with a focus on history.
 
"I want to thank Nick Bursik and the entire administration at UW-Superior for giving me the opportunity to become the head coach of the Yellowjackets," Fracker said. "I am excited about moving to the Midwest, meeting the team and the rest of the UW-Superior family."