FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DUBAY NAMED BATES' INTERIM SOFTBALL COACH

LEWISTON, Maine -- Geri-Lyn Dubay has been named interim head coach of softball at Bates College.

Dubay, a native of West Hartford, Conn., graduated from Conard High School in 1987 and from Old Dominion University in 1991 with a degree in physical education. She has taught physical education and coached softball at Berlin (Conn.) High School and Farmington (Conn.) High School. Locally, Dubay has coached girls' soccer at Auburn Middle School and girls' basketball at Lewiston High School, where she was also a physical education teacher. For the past three years, Dubay has been an assistant basketball coach at Bates. In 1996, she was an assistant for the Bobcats' women's soccer and basketball teams, both of which reached the NCAA tournament.

Dubay takes over from recently retired softball coach Sherry Deschaine, who had coached at Bates since 1968, when she became the school's first women's basketball coach. Deschaine coached field hockey from 1969 to 1994, during which time she compiled a record of 174-119-37. In 1977, she took over the softball team and finished with a career record of 158-173. In 29 years at Bates, during which she coached five different sports, Deschaine had an overall record of 391-308-38.

"Geri-Lyn is a welcome addition to the coaching ranks at Bates," said Suzanne Coffey, director of athletics. "She brings an enthusiasm and intensity to the field which inspires her athletes. I am sure she will continue the tradition of excellence which coach Deschaine has established in her distinguished career."

-30-