Bio

Christowski's Credentials

• Overall Record: 624-212-2 in 20 seasons
• NFCA Hall of Fame Class of 2007
• NFCA NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year (1997)
• 3-time IIAC Coach of the Year (1997, 1998, 2010)
• 2 NCAA National Championships (1997, 1999)
• 4 NCAA Regional Championships (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
• 9 NCAA Regional Appearances (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2008, 2010)
• 5 IIAC Championships (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2010) 

One of the greatest coaches in the history of college softball, hall of famer Henry Christowski retired following the 2015 season after 20 years at Simpson. Christowski finished his collegiate career with a record of 624-212-2 while collecting more than 1,500 wins throughout his 47-year career coaching at both the prep and collegiate levels.

Christowski became the 23rd coach in NCAA Division III history to earn 600 wins when Simpson beat St. Scholastica 13-3 on March 6, 2015 in Winter Haven, Fla. He earned win No. 500 in a 5-0 shutout of Dubuque on April 2, 2011, becoming the 28th coach in Division III history to reach the mark.

Under Christowski’s leadership, the Storm captured the only two national championships in the college’s history, winning titles in 1997 and 1999 while finishing third in 1996 and 1998. He also has five Iowa Conference Championships (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2010), nine NCAA tournament appearances (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2015) and four regional titles (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999).

Christowski was a three-time IIAC Coach of the Year, winning in 1997, 1998 and 2010. His 2010 honor came after leading Simpson to its first conference title in nine years. In 1997, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) recognized Christowski as the Division III National Coach of the Year following the Storm’s first national title.

Christowski cemented his legacy as one of the top coaches in the nation with his induction into the NFCA Hall of Fame in December of 2007, the Association’s highest honor. Along with American International College Head Coach Judy Groff and Central College head coach George Wares, the trio comprised the NFCA Hall of Fame Class of 2007.

Through the 2013 season, Christowski’s career winning percentage of .753 ranked eighth all-time in Division III, eighth among active Division III coaches and 26th in the history of college softball – in all divisions. His 566 career wins ranked 18th among active Division III coaches and 25th in Division III all-time.

Christowski is the only coach in NCAA softball history to win at least 200 games in his first five years as a head coach (201).

He became the winningest coach at Simpson on March 29, 2002 when the Storm defeated Webster (Mo.) 2-0. When Simpson defeated Dubuque in game one of their April 7, 2004 doubleheader, Christowski reached the 300-win plateau faster than any other Division III coach in history, needing only 362 games to attain the mark. St. Thomas head coach John Tschida is believed to have held the old record, as Tschida won his 300th game in 366 career games in 2003. Christowski won his 400th game on March 11, 2008, a 14-0 win over Marietta.

Christowski and his coaching staff earned the distinction of NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year in the 1999. Additionally, his staff claimed the NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year award in 1998 and 1999.

Beginning his career at Norwalk High School in 1969, Christowski led the Warriors to a 440-179 record by the time he left in 1980. He went on to coach at Indianola High School from 1981-87 before taking over at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines. He went 272-70 in eight years at Dowling, winning a state title with the Maroons in 1992. He was inducted into the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999.

 During his time at the prep level, Christowski coached four Iowa High School Hall of Fame pitchers (Dowling’s Missy Allen and Norwalk’s Kris Brogan, Jeannine Christowski and Cindy Johnson).

Christowski earned his bachelor’s degree from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State) and received his master’s from Drake.

Henry and his wife Patricia reside in Norwalk, Iowa.

Christowski at Simpson

- updated through 2014 season