Hall of Fame
Today's athletes benefit from fall practices, year-round conditioning and a myriad of coaches helping them become the best players possible. Before all of that, softball players practiced in the preseason period and conditioning was at a different level. When her offensive achievements are considered in that context, Diane Meyer Burger's numbers and records are remarkable. In her freshman season, she drove in 26 runs and led the Kohawks to the first of four consecutive Midwest Conference titles. But she saved her greatest offensive output for her sophomore season. That year, 1983, she set school records in hits (31), triples (6) and RBIs (30). She led the team in hitting with a .437 average. Nationally, she was third in hits, fifth in triples and ninth in RBIs. The Kohawks easily captured their second conference title. Meyer's efforts were rewarded with a first-team All-Midwest Conference selection as well as a spot on the second-team All-Midwest Region squad. The team naturally selected her as MVP. Meyer's junior and senior years yielded two conference crowns and two more all-conference honors. In her final season at Coe, she belted out a school record of three home runs as Coe posted 20 victories. Meyer served as team captain both seasons. Today she is recognized as one of the finest players in Coe softball history. Her career numbers continue to measure up to today's players. Meyer is fourth in RBIS (75) and runs (83) as well as 11th in hits (102). She was one of Coe's fiercest competitors, an outstanding hitter and fielder. Pioneers are heroes by virtue of time. Diane Meyer Burger, while not necessarily a pioneer, was probably one of Coe's first softball heroes. Her and the team's successes laid the foundation for today's softball players. For that reason, we are privileged to welcome Diane into the Kohawk Athletic Hall of Fame.
