WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University softball head coach Jackie Klahold '15 MS has stepped down from her position as coach of the Colonels after serving in the role for seven seasons to pursue a new professional opportunity.
 
In her seven seasons at the helm, Klahold's teams went 106-103, including two 20-win seasons the past three years. Wilkes earned a conference postseason berth three times in her tenure including back-to-back trips to the Landmark Tournament in 2025 and 2026.
 
"I have appreciated my time here at Wilkes, especially the student-athletes and my coaching staff who have been a part of the softball program," noted Klahold. "They have worked tirelessly on the field, in the classroom, in the weight room, and in the community to not only help this make this program a Landmark Conference contender but truly represent Wilkes in a positive manner. I am excited to take this next step in furthering my athletic administrative career," she added.
 
Klahold and the Colonels best year came this past season where the squad finished 23-19, the most wins since 2019, earning its second straight Landmark Conference Tournament berth where they advanced to the semifinals. A year earlier in 2025, Wilkes finished 17-15, claiming 10 Landmark wins in the regular season on way to the fourth seed and home first round game in the conference tournament.
 
Over seven years at Wilkes, Klahold coached 19 All-Conference selections including Landmark Pitcher of the Year Lauren DeMarco (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) in 2024. Three Colonels were also named NFCA All-Region including Second Team selections DeMarco (2024) and Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) (2025) and Third Team Nicole Howell (2023). Klahold's players also found success in the classroom as 12 were named College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District since 2023.
 
Klahold also held administrative positions during her time at Wilkes serving as the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for the athletic department since midway through the 2021-22 academic year and added the Assistant Athletic Director for Game Operations title in 2023 before being elevated to Associate Athletic Director in 2025. In these positions she was responsible for oversight of the intern positions at Wilkes, as well as all game operations for all 24 sports and direct supervision for select programs.
 
Klahold also currently serves on the NCAA Division III Softball committee, a position she began in April 2025.
 
"I want to thank Jackie for all of her work during her time at Wilkes," said Wilkes Athletic Director Scott Musa. "Since I became the AD here in 2023, Jackie has been an invaluable member of the staff and did great work with both game operations and softball. Game operations is a never ending task and she did it with a skill and professionalism that made our coaches jobs much easier. We are going to miss her and we wish her well in her new opportunity," added Musa.