BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary has selected Tara Wheeler as head softball coach for the Marauders. A longtime NCAA Division II coach and Hall of Fame player, Wheeler becomes the 10th head coach in program history.

A former All-American as a catcher and third baseman, Wheeler joins UMary after four seasons as the head coach at Christian Brothers University of the Gulf South Conference (GSC), where she led the Lady Buccaneers to program-tying records for overall and conference wins in a season. Wheeler posted a winning record as interim head coach at Colorado School of Mines of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) for two seasons after serving as an assistant coach at RMAC institutions Colorado School of Mines and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

A two-time inductee into the MSU Denver Hall of Fame and former NCAA Division II All-American, Wheeler brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience and a distinguished playing career to the Marauders.

"Throughout this search, Tara distinguished herself as someone who understands that sustainable success is built through relationships, culture, and a clear vision for scholar-athlete development," said University of Mary Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Marcus Wagner. "She brings a proven track record of competitive balance, but what stood out most was her commitment to developing young women as students, athletes, and leaders. We are excited to welcome Tara and her family to the University of Mary and look forward to the impact she will have on our softball program and campus community."

In just four seasons at Christian Brothers (2022-26), Wheeler is second in school history in wins and winning percentage. Wheeler directed the Lady Buccaneers to 63 regular season wins overall, the most wins during any four-year stretch at CBU since 2009-12. The 30 wins in GSC contests is the most of any four-year span in program history. In the four seasons prior to her arrival CBU claimed 43 wins overall and 22 in league play.

"I am humbled and extremely honored to be the next head softball coach of the Marauders," said Wheeler. "I would like to thank Monsignor James Shea, Jerome Richter, Marcus Wagner, and the entire search committee for their time during this process. The University of Mary's Vision 2030 campaign demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the future of Marauders softball, and I am thankful for the opportunity to lead the Marauders through this phase. I am excited to meet all the scholar-athletes and get to work growing the culture of the program in pursuit of Greatness Through Virtue to solidify UMary softball as a contender within the Northern Sun." 
 

In 2026, the Lady Buccaneers beat a University of Alabama in Huntsville team that advanced to the NCAA South Super Regional and defeated Valdosta State University on the road for the first time in program history. Wheeler led CBU to a program record-tying 21 wins overall and set a team GSC win record with 10 victories in 2025. The 2024 squad set a school record for home runs (50), batting average (.278) and slugging percentage (.452) on the way to doubling the conference win total from the previous year. Lady Buccaneers catchers threw out 63% of attempted base stealers – the best mark in the conference – and five players earned Academic All-American honors.

Prior to taking over the Christian Brothers post, Wheeler spent two seasons as the interim head coach at Colorado School of Mines and led the Orediggers to a record of 31-24-1.
Wheeler led Mines to a 22-12-1 mark in 2021 and a 4^th place finish in the RMAC with a record of 20-10-1. Five Orediggers earned All-RMAC honors, including All-Region selection Kylie Redding. Three scholar-athletes earned RMAC weekly honors, three received first team conference academic honors, and pitcher Sydney Marchando was the RMAC Woman of the Year, RMAC Academic Player of the Year and RMAC Summit Award winner. The 2021 team also set five-year highs in batting average (.318) and slugging percentage (.463). 

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Orediggers finished 9-12 mark and 6-6 in RMAC play while playing a schedule that featured games against three nationally-ranked foes, including a doubleheader against #1 Augustana of the Northern Sun. One Oredigger was named RMAC Pitcher of the Week. Shortstop Clara Larson was named a first team CoSIDA Academic All-American and two players were named to the Academic All-District team.

Prior to joining Mines as an assistant coach for the 2019 season, Wheeler spent two seasons at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She helped guide the Roadrunners to an RMAC tournament title in 2016 and an RMAC regular-season title in 2015 with trips to the NCAA tournament following both seasons. Wheeler began her collegiate coaching career at Metro State, where she served as an assistant coach from August 2010 to June 2012. During her two seasons with the Roadrunners, the program won the 2011 RMAC regular-season title and advanced to the NCAA tournament.

The Wheat Ridge, CO, native compiled an incredible collegiate playing career, competing two seasons at both NCAA Division I Purdue Fort Wayne and Metro State. As a freshman catcher at Fort Wayne in 2007, the former Tara Mickelson earned second team All-Independent and the All-Independent Newcomer Team honors and was the 4^th most difficult batter to strike out in the nation. She was a first team All-Summit League selection and a member of the Summit League All-Tournament Team in 2008 as an outfielder.

Wheeler then spent two highly decorated seasons at Metro State. As a junior in 2009, she was selected as a Daktronics first team All-American and All-Region performer, claimed NFCA 2^nd team All-Region honors and was an All-RMAC selection. She led NCAA Division II in home runs (25) as a senior in 2010, was named to the College World Series All-Tournament team and listed as a Top 12 Division II Senior by Softball Magazine. She was also selected to the Daktronics All-American 2^nd team, the Daktronics All-Region 1^st team, the NFCA All-Region 2^nd team, the All-RMAC 1^st team as a third baseman and the RMAC all-tournament team.

Twice inducted into the MSU Denver Hall of Fame, Wheeler was enshrined with her 2010 teammates in 2017 and individually in 2025. She finished her collegiate career as a .363 hitter with 54 home runs and 188 RBIs. 

Wheeler graduated from Northeastern State University in 2014 with a general studies degree. Tara and her husband Steve have four sons. 

Since first taking the field in 1987, the Marauders have won 13 conference championships and made seven national tournament appearances.

The softball program moves indoors for the spring 2028 season with the opening of the Multipurpose Dome on the University of Mary campus.
 
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