Iowa City West announced Lisa (Birocci) Banse as the school’s new head softball coach on Sept. 9.
Banse was a standout athlete at Des Moines Lincoln High School. She was the 2001 Iowa Softball and Gatorade Player of the Year. As a first-team all-state selection from 1998 to 2001, Banse helped Des Moines Lincoln secure state championships in 1999 and 2001.
“I’m incredibly honored to lead the Trojan softball program at West High School—where ‘Where Excellence is a Tradition’ is not just a phrase, but a shared daily practice,” Banse said in a press release. “I look forward to joining forces with our talented athletes and the wider Iowa City softball community to carry forward the Trojan spirit.”
After a stellar high school career, Banse pitched for the University of Iowa softball team. She was a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American, who received third-team honors in 2003 and 2005.
She was the 2003 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year in a season where she won 29 games, posting 15 shutouts. Over her Hawkeye career, Banse totaled 90 wins with a 1.20 ERA, 946 strikeouts and 40 shutouts. She also blasted 17 home runs. Her college career earned her an induction into the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame.
Banse played professionally in Italy, Guatemala and Taiwan. She was a member of the Italian National Team through the years, including in 2005, 2006, 2009, and from 2019 to 2021. She was also a pitching coach for Team Italy and Team Spain.
“We are excited to welcome Lisa Banse to the Iowa City West community,” said Iowa City West Athletic Director BJ Mayer. “Her extensive experience as a player and coach, combined with her passion for the game, will be an incredible asset to our softball program and student-athletes.”
Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at MARay@gannett.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City West names Lisa Birocci Banse as new softball coach
Reporting by Marc Ray, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
