Simmons College Softball Head Coach Anne Hennigan has been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference 2011 Coach of the Year, the GNAC announced. Hennigan is in her third year at the helm of the Sharks Softball program.

The honor follows a season in which Hennigan led the Sharks to a 24-15 regular season record (19-5 GNAC), and an appearance in the conference tournament semifinal round.

Four of her athletes made the All-Conference First Team, one athlete made the Second Team, and two garnered Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors.

"We are thrilled that Annie has been selected as GNAC Coach Of the Year," said Director of Athletics Ali Kantor. "She possess all of the right qualities of a great coach: leadership; drive and determination. She is a motivator and teacher. She deeply cares about each athlete and they know she believes in them. Simmons Softball has had a tremendous year under her leadership."