Margaret Yerdon, who was an assistant coach for the past five seasons, was named the head softball coach in late July. She took over for Michelle Burrell, who accepted the head coaching position at Binghamton University.

Yerdon was an assistant coach in 2004 under Jeanine Gunther. Rochester set a single-season victory record (27-18) and reached the ECAC playoffs, its first-ever playoff appearance.

Rochester built on that success when Burrell arrived for the 2006 season. Yerdon spent four years as the pitching coach for Burrell. In that time, Rochester posted an overall record of 117-50, made three consecutive NCAA playoff appearances, won four conference titles, and set single-season victory record for three straight seasons (28 in 2007, 32 in 2008, 33 in 2009).

Yerdon and Burrell were named the Coaching Staff of the Year by the University Athletic Association in 2007 and by the Liberty League in 2007 and 2009. Yerdon’s work with the pitching staff was rewarded handsomely in the last two years. Rochester had the Liberty League Pitcher of the Year in 2008 and 2009 and an All-American in 2009.

Yerdon was a graduate assistant coach at Binghamton in 2003 while pursuing her master’s degree in Social Sciences with a concentration in Public Administration. She earned a BA in English and Sociology in 2001 from Binghamton.

She participated in BU’s transition from Division III (1997) to Division I status (in 2000) receiving accolades for her playing skills at every level. She was a Division II NFCA All-Region selection in 1999 plus the NECC All-Conference Pitcher of the Year in 1999 and 2000.

In 2002, she was named the America East All-Conference Designated Player. Yerdon was selected as the team MVP in 1999 and 2002. She is Binghamton’s career record holder in strikeouts (431) and earned run average (1.40).

She received a Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies in May, 2009 from the Susan B. Anthony Institute of the University of Rochester. She is pursuing her PhD in Education with a Concentration in Educational Policy and Theory.

Yerdon is an alumnus of Sandy Creek (N.Y.) High School. She was selected as one of the Top 100 North Country athletes by the Watertown Times in 2007.

Jena begins her first season as an assistant coach with the Yellowjacket program. As a four-year starter in softball at Rochester, she was one of the most accomplished players in program history. In her four years, she earned All-Liberty League and All-University Athletic Association honors every year. She was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Northeast Region Team every year.

Robertson is listed among the all-time leaders in more than 15 statistical categories at Rochester. She is the program’s leader in career at-bats, base hits, doubles, triples, and total bases. Rochester set single-season victory records in her freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons. The Yellowjackets appeared in post-season play three times – in the ECACs in her sophomore (2005) and junior seasons (2006) – and in the NCAAs in her senior year (2007). Rochester won the UAA Championship and the Liberty League Championship in her senior season.

She was a volunteer assistant coach with the program for the 2007-08 academic year. Robertson graduated from the University in May, 2007 with a baccalaureate degree in psychology.

Jena is pursuing a Masters in Public Health from the School of Medicine & Dentistry and that she comes to Rochester from Frozen Ropes where she gave private hitting and pitching instruction and also was the Softball Director.