University of Rochester Athletics

The University of Rochester softball team added Mary Karen Wheat to its coaching staff in the 2020 season.

Following the 2021 season, Wheat was named NFCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year for her work in helping the Yellowjackets reach the NCAA Finals for the second time in school history. 
 
Prior to joining the UR staff, Wheat served as the assistant coach at RIT, primarily working with the hitters and pitchers.  In addition, she was the head coach at Brockport High School in 2015 and 2016, leading the Blue Devils to the 2015 Section V Championship game. Wheat was also the head coach at Red Jacket Central School, where she led the team to the 2010 Section V Championship, and two Section V Semifinal appearances (2009 and 2011).  Wheat has been giving private pitching instruction in the Rochester area for the last ten years.

A former standout pitcher at Brockport High School (1995-1998) and Binghamton University (1998-2003).  Wheat competed her first two years at Binghamton at the Division II level and the last two at the Division I level.  At Binghamton Wheat pitched 416 innings with a 1.81 ERA. 

Wheat graduated from Binghamton University in 2003 with a BA in Human Development.  She also holds a BS in History and is certified in Adolescent Education from SUNY Brockport.