PHILADELPHIA – University of Pennsylvania head softball coach Leslie King was recently named as one of four people inducted into the Softball New Zealand Hall of Fame. The induction occurred at the 80th Annual General Meeting on September 2 in Wellington, New Zealand.
 
"I feel truly humbled by this honor," said King. "The New Zealand softball community provided me the opportunity and the support to excel at a sport I love. I had the opportunity to compete at the highest level all over the world—what more could any athlete want? I am very proud to have played for New Zealand, and will always be grateful for my time there."
 
A shortstop and catcher, King spent 14 years as the starting shortstop for the New Zealand National softball team nicknamed the White Sox. She was named New Zealand's Player of the Year after leading her team to a silver medal in 1990 which remains the last time they found a spot on the World Championships podium. In 2000, King captained the New Zealand team that qualified for the Sydney Olympics.
 
In addition to playing for the New Zealand National Team in softball, King also was a member of the New Zealand National Team in soccer. A goalkeeper, she captained the Football Ferns to the inaugural Women's World Cup in 1991.
 
King has been the head coach at Penn since 2004, and led the Quakers to their first NCAA Championship appearance in 2013. The Red and Blue have won five Ivy League South Division titles since 2007, and enjoyed three-straight 20-win seasons including last year (22-18). During King's tenure, three different players—Christina Khosravi (2006/08), Annie Kinsey (2007) and Leah Allen (2017)—have earned Ivy League Player of the Year recognition.
 
Penn softball begins its fall season on Sunday, Sept. 17 when the Quakers host Holy Family and Philadelphia University.
 
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