Kristen Duross was announced as the school’s 17
th softball coach in school history in the summer of 2024.
In just her first season, Duross led the Spartans to 23 wins, which ties for the third most wins in a single season in program history and is just the fifth time the Spartans have had 20+ wins in a season.
Prior to the University of Dubuque, Duross was an assistant coach for Clarke University (since July 2022) and most recently the interim head coach for the Pride (spring 2023). She was a four-year letter winner (2012-2015) for the University of Southern Maine Huskies (NCAA Division III) and started and played in 158 games finishing with a .310 career hitting average, slugging percentage of .440. She finished her collegiate career with 144 hits and 83 RBI’s and committed just 11 errors in 204 attempts (.949 fielding percentage). Duross was a team captain (2013-15), Second Team-All Conference (2014 – Outfield), First Team All-Conference (2015 – Outfield), and a Paula D. Hogdon Leadership Award Nominee in 2015.
Prior to Clarke University she was the head softball coach at Wheelock College in Boston, Mass and varsity high school softball coach at Cape Elizabeth High School in Cape Elizabeth, Maine (2020-2022). In 2021, Duross led the Capers to an undefeated 21-0 season and a state championship. She was named Coach of the Year in 2021. She also coached the Junior Swamp Bats (12 and under) in Marlborough, N.H., Brand New Ballgame (16 and under) in Wrentham, Mass., Wheelock College head softball coach in Boston, Mass.
Duross was selected to attend the 2019 NCAA/Women’s Leaders in College Sports Institute for Administrative Advancement, the 2019 NCAA/Women’s Leaders in College Sports Women’s leadership Symposium, and the 2019 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar.
"I look forward to working with my current players, commits, and the talented recruits I plan to continue to bring to this program,” added Duross. “My goal is when my players leave the UD softball program, they are fully equipped to conquer life and be leaders in the real world. I'm excited to see what they can achieve on and off the field."
The Saco, Maine native earned her bachelor of science in business administration from University of Southern Maine (2015) and her master of science in recreation and sport administration degree from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky. in 2017. She resides in Dubuque.
| University of Dubuque Coaching Record |
| Year |
Overall |
Conference |
Place |
A-R-C Tournament Qualifier |
| 2025 |
23-15 |
8-8 |
7th place |
-- |
| TOTAL: |
23-15 |
8-8 |
|
|
