Van Kleeck starts as secretary-rules editor

Former Ferrum College coach Vickie Van Kleeck began her role as the NCAA secretary-rules editor for softball Tuesday.

Van Kleeck, who will serve a four-year term, retired from coaching after the 2015 season. In 24 seasons at Ferrum, she posted a 531-427-1 record.

Van Kleeck led Ferrum to the NCAA Division III tournament in 2002, 2005 and 2012. Her duties at the school also include serving as senior woman administrator. She provides leadership for Ferrum’s eight women’s varsity sports as well as the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Van Kleeck has an undergraduate degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and two master’s degrees from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in counseling (1979) and athletic administration (1986). She was a member of the NCAA Softball Rules Committee from 2008-13.

“I have a great passion for the game, and I was on the rules committee for five years,” Van Kleeck said. “And that renewed my interest in this aspect of the sport. Before I coached, I was an umpire. So I’ve been on both sides.”

Van Kleeck succeeds Dee Abrahamson as the NCAA secretary-rules editor for softball.