Michelle Connors joined the Siena Softball coaching staff in Fall 2024. A former collegiate head coach, Connors brings valuable experience to the 2024 MAAC champions. She also serves as Siena's Fall Intramural Coordinator, assisting with the college's intramural sports programs.
“I am very excited to add Michelle to the staff,” Bump said. “We have known each other for a long time, and she has a long history of being a head coach, a teacher of the game, and a great communicator. She has already made an impact in the short time she has been here. I think she will be a huge addition and we are truly fortunate to have her here at Siena.”
Connors joins the Saints’ staff after an 11-year stint as the head coach at nearby Union College, and 13 total seasons coaching the Garnet Chargers. She led Union to four Liberty League Tournament appearances during her time in Schenectady, including a spot in the tournament finals in 2015. In all, she coached 27 Union players to the All-Liberty League teams, including at least one player in every season.
Among her coaching accolades, Connors had the pleasure of coaching Karson Saunders, who was recognized as a Top 30 honoree for the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Saunders’ recognition marked the first Capital Region program on any level to boast a Top 30 honoree.
Before taking over as the 13th head coach in Union softball program history, Connors spent a pair of seasons as an assistant coach and associate head coach at Union from 2012-13.
Prior to her coaching career, Connors was a four-year member of the University at Albany softball team, where she helped lead UAlbany to an America East Championship, a regular season title, and an NCAA Tournament regional final appearance. She was an America East All-Rookie first team selection and also earned second-team honors throughout her career.
She ended her career as the captain of the 2010 team and graduated from UAlbany in 2010. Connors is still ranked highly in the program’s record book with 156 hits, 117 runs scored, 35 doubles, 23 home runs, 100 runs batted in, 59 walks, and 66 hit by pitches. Notably, she led NCAA Division I in 2008 with 22 hit by pitches across 51 games.
A local out of Shenendehowa High School, she was a first team all-star, an MVP and a Player of the Year during her career and helped lead the team to AA Sectional Championships in each of her four seasons from 2003-06. Connors was also a member of the 2003 New York State championships team, and was teammates with Siena’s all-time home runs leader, Jenn Granato.
