Mike Larabee Position: Assistant Coach

Mike Larabee enters his third season as an assistant coach of the UI program. He brings with him several years of exptertise as both a coach and a player of the game.

Larabee is involved with all aspects of the program, with his main duty on the field being working with the outfield.

Larabee came to Illinois after a successful coaching career in the state of Washington. He spent the previous four years as the head varsity softball coach, as well as an assistant football and wrestling coach, at Kentlake High School in Kent, Wash. where he also taught advanced weight training and speed development.

Larabee was named AAAA softball coach of the year in the state of Washington after his softball team finished second in the state in the 2001season, while placing fourth in the state tournament in 2000. Larabee also served a two-year stint (1996-97) as varsity softball coach and assistant football coach at Kentridge High School in Kent. In six total seasons as a varsity softball coach, his teams compiled a record of 145-25 while Larabee twice won Seattle-Tacoma All-Area Coach of the Year honors. Larabee also served two-years as a pitching and outfield coach for the University of Puget Sound.

Larabee has enjoyed an extensive playing career in baseball and fastpitch softball. He was a member of the U.S. National Men's Fastpitch team in 1996 and 2000 and also participated in the 1999 Pan American Games National Team Festival. Larabee is a three-time American Softball Association All-American and played in four U.S. Olympic Sports Festivals. Larabee has been named to the ISC All-World Team twice.

Larabee played collegiate baseball first at MiraCosta Community College and then at Washington State University, where he earned his B.S. degree in physical education in 1986. He also earned a M.S. degree in exercise science from Washington State in 1988. During his post-graduate stay, Larabee was an assistant baseball coach for the Cougars, working with the outfielders.

"With Mike's expertise and successes, as both a player and coach, he is well versed about the fundamentals of the game," said Sullivan. "However, his passion and enthusiasm for softball are what truly makes him a special coach."

Larabee lives in Champaign with his wife, Dawn, and children Michaela (fifth grade) and John (second grade).