Margo Jonker

Margo Jonker is a native of Holland, Michigan, graduating from West Ottawa High school before moving on to Grand Valley State University (GVSU). In her senior year, Margo was named the Lakers’ Female Athlete of the Year. She began her softball coaching career at GVSU in 1977, serving as pitching coach through 1979. In 1980 she took over the reins of the Central Michigan University (CMU) Softball program and remained there until her retirement at the end of the 2019 season. During her 40 year coaching career, she led the Chippewas to a record of 1,268 – 808 – 7 (ninth most wins in NCAA Division 1 history). She won ten Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament championships, played in 13 NCAA Tournaments and one berth each in the NCAA Women’s College World Series and the AIAW College World Series. Jonker has coached eight All-Americans, 53 all-region selections and 87 All-MAC First Teamers as well as three Academic All-Americans and 67 academic all-conference players. She was also an assistant coach for the USA Olympic softball team that won a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Margo Jonker is a member of the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2003), the Michigan Amateur Softball Hall of Fame (2000), and the Metro Detroit Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame (2014).