SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus College softball team will have new leadership during the 2026-27 academic year as Melissa Lee has been named the Interim Head Softball Coach following the resignation of Emma Frost. Lee will serve as the interim coach for one year with the athletic department set to open a national search for a full-time head coach in the spring of 2027.
 
"We are excited to have Melissa Lee step into the role of interim head softball coach for the upcoming season," said Director of Athletics Tom Brown. "Melissa brings more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience, including eight years as a head coach. Her experience, leadership, and knowledge of the game will provide our student-athletes with a tremendous opportunity to continue learning, growing, and developing both on and off the field. Having Melissa lead our program this season also gives us the time to conduct a thoughtful and thorough search for the right person to lead our softball program into the future. We are confident Melissa will provide the stability and experienced leadership our team needs during this transition."
 
Lee, who also serves as an Assistant Athletic Director and the Senior Woman Administrator, began her coaching career in 2005 as an assistant coach for Augsburg University. After serving as an assistant for 12 years, Lee took over the head coaching position in 2017. In her eighth and final season as Augsburg's head coach in 2024, Lee led her team to 26-14 overall to tie the school's single season wins record set 41 years prior in 1983.
 
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the interim head softball coach," said Lee. "My focus will be on building confidence, continuing to develop our players, and creating an environment where our team can compete, grow, and enjoy the game. I'm honored to lead this group and look forward to what we can accomplish together."
 
The Gustavus softball team went 20-19 overall this past spring season. In the MIAC, Gustavus went 13-9 and closed out their regular season with a 7-1 run to jump up to a fourth-place finish in the conference standings and clinch a postseason berth to the MIAC Playoffs.