DeLand, Fla. ? Stetson University softball Head Coach Frank Griffin has been selected for induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame at his alma mater, Winthrop University.  The ceremony will take place February 9 on the Winthrop campus in Rock Hill, S.C.

Griffin, a 1979 Winthrop graduate, followed up a three-year collegiate soccer career with a seven-year stint as head softball coach of the Lady Eagles.  He compiled a 225-87 (.721) record there as the winningest coach in program history.  During his time at Winthrop, Griffin was named Big South Conference Coach of the Year in 1987 and again in 1989.

As a soccer player, Griffin was a three-time NAIA All-District Six honoree from 1977-79 and is still the all-time Winthrop career goals record holder with 69 scores.  His 141 total points ranks second in school history as well.  The team MVP in 1978, Griffin scored four goals in a game four different times in his illustrious career.

Since taking the reins at Stetson in 1997, Griffin has led the Hatters to 398 wins in the past 11 seasons, compiling a .639 winning percentage with seven consecutive winning seasons and 35 wins or more six years running.  The 2001 Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year, Griffin guided Stetson to the 2006 Atlantic Sun regular season championship and to unprecedented heights in 2007 when the team (44-22, 13-5 A-Sun) captured the Atlantic Sun tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in school history.

“To be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Winthrop is very flattering,” Griffin said.  “It's brought back a lot of old memories of my teammates as well as the softball players I got the opportunity to coach.  It's a very exciting time for me and I look forward to a wonderful experience.”

Stetson opens defense of its Atlantic Sun championship Friday, Feb. 8 when Ohio State, Marist and Detroit come to town for the Stetson Lead-Off Classic.