Piedmont University Athletics

Bob Lowe was announced as the new Assistant Varsity Softball Coach and Head JV Coach for Piedmont softball in the summer of 2014 and begins his second year with the program this spring.  Lowe brings a wealth of collegiate coaching experience to the post as well as a familiarity with NCAA Division III as all three of the long-time coach's daughters played collegiate softball at the Division III level.
 
The 2015 Lady Lions finished the year with a 17-14 overall record including a 13-11 mark in USA South action with five players earning All-Conference accolades including freshman Jessica Bagwell who earned Rookie of the Year honors as well.  Lowe also helped guide veteran Abby Smith to one of the best individual statistical seasons in recent memory as well with Smith leading the league in triples while also finishing in the top eight in batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage as well.
 
For her efforts, Smith was also named Piedmont’s second Capital One Academic All-American in softball as Lowe helped continue what is becoming a proud tradition of individual and team excellence across Piedmont athletics both on the field and in the classroom. 
 
In just his first season on board, Lowe’s effect was felt with Piedmont finishing in the top five in the league in several pitching categories as well as offensive columns as well.  The Lady Lions finished the season with the 4th most triples in the league and 5th most doubles while also placing 3rd in on-base percentage and slugging percentage as well.

Lowe joined a Piedmont program built for success that had seen a 77-18 overall record over the previous two seasons and enjoyed back-to-back NCAA National Tournament appearances, a 2014 USA South Championship Tournament title, and a pair of conference regular season crowns as well.

Prior to migrating south to join the Lady Lions, Lowe spent the four seasons prior as the Head Softball Coach at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois.  During his time as the leader of the Skyhawks, Lowe compiled an impressive overall record of 148-66 while also leading his teams to a pair of Region IV Tournament Championships, one in his debut season of 2011 and another in 2013.

During his tenure at Sauk, Lowe mentored 14 All-Conference players, nine All-Region selections, and seven All-Academic honorees.  Additionally, the coach also developed Sauk's first-ever All-American in Kaiti Mathey who finished the regular season tied for 21st in the country in batting average swinging an even .500.  Mathey also ranked 19th in RBIs with 61 on the year.

A two-time Region IV Coach of the Year, Lowe led his 2011 team to an Arrowhead Conference Championship, the program's first-ever such title and the first of back-to-back crowns for Sauk as the Skyhawks would repeat as champions in 2012. 

His 2012 Skyhawks squad set a new school record with 47 wins on the season besting the previous record of 34 victories set by his own 2011 team.  For his efforts in 2012, Lowe was voted by his coaching peers to be the Region IV All-Star Game Coach. 

During his team's regional championship run of 2013, the Skyhawks posted their best-ever finish at the DII National Tournament placing 7th in the country.  2013 was also the first season that the Skyhawks saw one of their own named an All-American while Lowe would earn his second Region IV Coach of the Year honor and three players would earn All-Conference 1st team honors and take spots on the Regional All-Tournament Team.

Having also served as a speaker and instructor at several fast pitch seminars and camps, Lowe earned a reputation for developing some of the region's best pitching in Illinois conducting individual lessons with hundreds of developing pitchers. 

Since 2006, Lowe served as an Administrator for youth softball organizations and also spent 2006 to 2010 working with Adrenaline ASA Softball Fastpitch Club 12U-23+ and also was the Head Coach for the 18U Adrenaline Softball Team.  During his time with the youth organization, Lowe led his teams to two national qualifying appearances and took several local tournament championships as well.

Lowe's move to Piedmont made NCAA Division III softball a family affair as all three of the coach's daughters played collegiate softball at the Division III level with the oldest Carin spending her entire career at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.  Colleen and youngest Rebecca spent at time at Luther College and Kirkwood College respectively before also finishing their collegiate career at UW-Platteville. 

A father of four, Coach Lowe and his wife Camille also have a son, Daniel who began his own collegiate athletic career playing basketball at St. Xavier University, a NAIA member institution located in Chicago, Illinois. 

Lowe earned his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University in Secondary Agriculture Education taking Dean's List honors all four years graduating with high honors.  Having earned his Jurist Doctorate Degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2002, Lowe would earn a Masters in Administrative Education from American College of Education in 2012. 
 
Serving as the Head Coach of the Junior Varsity program for Piedmont softball, Lowe also assists Terry Martin in all facets of the Varsity program as well.