Louie Berndt joined the Emory softball program as an assistant coach in August of 2017. 

Berndt brings over 30 years of experience as a player and coach to the Eagles’ program. She served as the head coach at NCAA Division I member Monmouth University for six seasons (2010-15), compiling an overall record of 147-121.  Included in her stint with the Hawks were 30-18 (2010) and 31-16 (2013) campaigns.  

Prior to her appointment at Monmouth, Berndt enjoyed a successful 10-year run on the staff at Florida State University (1999-2009), serving as Associate Head Coach her final five years with the Seminoles.  While at FSU, she helped steer the program to four Atlantic Coast Conference titles and 10 bids to the NCAA Tournament, including a pair of College World Series appearances.  Four of her recruits were tabbed as ACC Freshman of the Year performers, and she also recruited and mentored the 2004 National Player of the Year, Jessica Van der Linden.

Berndt’s first head coaching post saw her direct the fortunes at Marshall University for six seasons (1994-1999). She helped develop a brand new program into a perennial contender, first in the Southern Conference, and then in the Mid-American Conference. In just her second season with the Thundering Herd, she led the team to a SOCON Championship, earning the 1995 Conference Coach of the Year Award.  The following year, she oversaw the program register a 38-24 won-lost mark.

Berndt also spent time as an assistant coach at Ohio State, Florida State and Nicholls State.  At Ohio State, where she spent five years, she was a member of the 1990 Big Ten Championship team. In her first stint at FSU, she served as pitching coach and helped lead her staff to the 1989 ACC title.

Berndt was a four-year member of the Western Michigan University softball program, earning All-America honors on two occasions at second base. She was a driving force in WMU securing three NCAA Tournament bids, including a pair of appearances in the World Series where he team finished fifth in 1982. She paced the Broncos in hitting three straight seasons and finished her career with a .321 batting average.  In addition, she was a three-time letter winner in basketball.  In 2003, she was inducted into the Western Michigan Hall of Fame.

A 1983 graduate of Western Michigan, she also earned a bachelor’s degree from Nicholls State in 1986.