When JD McCurdy decided to move from the high school coaching ranks up to college, that was the headline from the July 1, 2003, issue of the Daily News-Record. But McCurdy, who had already found immense success at Turner Ashby as its softball coach, was ready to take that next step.

“It was the challenge,” McCurdy explained. “We (TA) were dominating everything and I just wanted a new challenge. I always wanted to coach at the college level, and there weren’t many of those available in Virginia and I didn’t want to move. So 91¶ÌÊÓƵ was the opportunity.”

And meet that challenge he has.

Now, 400+ wins, three ODAC Coach of the Year honors, one NCAA Tournament appearance, three 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Hall of Honor inductees, and countless All-ODAC award winners later, McCurdy is ready for another challenge…one that he’s never quite faced before: retirement. McCurdy has announced that the 2026 season, his 23rd at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, will be his last.

“It is time,” he explained. “I’ve had other coaches tell me, ‘You will know when it’s time,’ and I knew last year it was time for me to make a move and it’s time to give the game up and move on and do something else. I appreciate and am grateful for the opportunity that I got here, and I’m very humbled with what happened. We did really well, but I knew it was time to move on and I feel really good with that.”

When McCurdy applied for the position at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, he immediately became an attractive candidate to then-Director of Athletics, Larry R. Martin, because of his track record as a head coach and his knowledge of the softball scene in the Shenandoah Valley.

“I hired him because of his success at the high school level,” Martin said. “And because of him knowing the area players for recruiting, because that’s where most of our people got recruited from, was locally.”

One of those aforementioned local players was Mariah Foltz ’17. Foltz was a standout for the Broadway High School Gobblers softball team and made the decision to come play for McCurdy after her graduation in 2013. She also came back as an assistant coach with the Royals for the 2024 season. She explained that it was his drive to win that drew her to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.

“I’ve always loved the way Coach McCurdy governs a team,” Foltz said. “He coaches with authority and wants to win. I chose 91¶ÌÊÓƵ because I wanted to continue to be a disciplined athlete, held to a high standard, and pushed to succeed. I’m grateful to JD for pushing me to be stronger, resilient, and more accountable.”

McCurdy’s first season was in 2004 and, in just his first season, more than doubled the Royals’ win total from the previous year. The number of wins continued to climb each year until, in 2007 and 2008, McCurdy’s stamp on the team was starting to be seen. In 2007, the Royals went 25-14, 10-8 in the ODAC, and McCurdy was named the ODAC Co-Coach of the Year with Randolph Macon’s Kevin Proffitt. He followed that up in 2008 with a record of 30-13, 13-5 in the ODAC, before falling in the ODAC semifinals.

Over the next two years, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ had sub-.500 records in conference play, but made it to back-to-back ODAC Championship series. They fell to Lynchburg in 2009 but made it to the mountaintop in 2010, when they knocked off Virginia Wesleyan 5-1 to win 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s second ODAC softball championship, their first since 1990, and earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. McCurdy was rewarded for that season, as he was named, once again, the ODAC Coach of the Year.    

“JD had a knack for always having his team ready for the playoffs, regardless of what the regular season was,” said former Director of Athletics Dave King. “I didn’t hear this necessarily, but it was sort of conveyed to me several ways that nobody really wanted to draw 91¶ÌÊÓƵ in the first round of the ODAC tournament, and that one of his championships comes from having ranked eighth and come all the way through to the championship. And I never could figure out what it was about his coaching that did that. Again, I wasn’t there at every practice and all that, but he had a knack. His teams played well in the ODAC tournament, and to me that says something.”

Despite winning an ODAC championship, and not having another losing season until 2019, McCurdy explained that in his 23 years at the helm, he’s had to adapt his coaching style to meet the needs of his players over the years.

“I felt like I could adjust to any situation with that,” he said. “But kids 10 years ago were different than they are now, obviously. And I always felt that I could find a way, a button, that motivated them in some way. And even early on, I was hard. I was really a hard coach early on. I pushed my players, I pushed those kids, but whatever happened within the team, I never let that bother the focus of what we wanted to do for the team and as a team.”

Aislinn Bowen ’16 said it was that pushing and the drive that made McCurdy the successful coach that he was.

“JD succeeds because he is consistent, detail-driven, and genuinely invested in his players,” she said. “He prepares harder than anyone, whether it is breaking down film, adjusting game strategies, or finding the right way to motivate his athletes. But what really sets him apart is his ability to build relationships. He doesn’t just coach players; he develops people. When you are playing for someone who truly invests in you, you naturally want to give everything you have. That culture of commitment and accountability is why his teams win.”

While his teams haven’t seen quite the same success in recent years as at the start of his career, his drive to develop players, and people, has never wavered.

“Coach McCurdy has been a consistent support in my life since an early age,” said Grace Fravel ’25. “He was committed to getting me to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, and I felt confident in my decision because I knew that he truly cared, not only about my athletic career, but also my academic journey and personal well-being. Not only was he a coach of mine, but he is also someone I knew I could always count on to help me navigate challenging times throughout my four years at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. His love for the game and his players is well-known on and off the field. I feel extremely grateful to have had him as my coach, and I know that he has impacted many ladies’ lives far beyond just my own.”

But now, the time has come. After the season comes to an end, whenever that may be, McCurdy isn’t planning on just riding off into the sunset…that’s not who he is. He’s just planning on looking for that next challenge, even if it’s not on the softball field.

“I’m not quite sure what that next challenge is, but I can guarantee it’ll be something,” McCurdy explained. “I’m definitely going to be involved with my grandkids and their baseball. I’ll spend time with my wife and do some traveling. But outside of that, it’s up in the air.”

And while he may not be at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ anymore after this season, the impact he’s made will continue to be felt long after a new coach is hired.

“JD’s impact on 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Softball is significant and lasting,” said Carrie S. Bert ’97, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Director of Athletics. “Over the course of his career, he elevated the program, highlighted by an ODAC championship and more than 400 career wins. These milestones reflect both longevity and competitive excellence. He has been widely respected by local coaches, colleagues across the ODAC, and peers from all levels of the game for his knowledge, competitiveness, and long-standing commitment to softball. JD invested deeply in the sport and in this institution, and his commitment to recruiting and developing local student-athletes strengthened our connection to the surrounding community. We are grateful for the many years he dedicated to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and for the role he played in advancing our softball program during his tenure. JD has certainly earned a well-deserved retirement and we wish him all the best in this next chapter.”

91¶ÌÊÓƵ will conduct a national search for McCurdy’s replacement, beginning later this month. Interested candidates may visit emu.edu/careers-at-emu for more information once the position is posted.  

91¶ÌÊÓƵ will have a new athletic director, effective July 1, 2005.

David A. King from Lancaster County, Pa., will succeed Greg S. Steffen, who is serving as interim director following the resignation in October, 2004 of Larry R. Martin, who held the position three years.

Kenneth L. Nafziger, vice president for , announced the appointment Tuesday, Apr. 5

King will return to his alma mater from Lancaster Mennonite School, where he has been athletic director and principal of its middle school program.

Dave brings a commitment to excellence as an experienced athletics and educational administrator who views sports as a vehicle for character development,” Dr. Nafziger said. “His leadership and reputation for integrity in the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) give him credibility as he works with coaches to recruit high caliber student athletes who will be a good fit for 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s mission.

“As an alum of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ who has sent all three of his children to study and play sports at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, Dave understands who we are and is committed to making the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ athletic experience as positive and enriching as possible,” Nafziger added. “He brings a clear vision of what 91¶ÌÊÓƵ athletics can become as we educate student athletes for leadership roles in the church and society.”

The director of athletics oversees the 17 intercollegiate sports programs at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, providing overall leadership, advocacy and strategic planning.

“Athletics is the avenue through which many young people develop themselves to their fullest potential,” King said. “My passion has always been to see personal growth and development of lifetime skills in players, coaches and community through the athletic experience.

“Athletics are often the window through which the public sees the school, so it is imperative that participants be positive representatives and role models. “Both academic and behavior standards are important in developing and maintaining a quality athletic program. As with every part of the institution, the athletic program must add positively to the whole of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.” King added.

King has served at Lancaster Mennonite School since 1991. Before that, he was executive director of Camp Hebron, Halifax, Pa., five years and was athletic director and health and physical education teacher, 1977-86, at Locust Grove Mennonite School, Lancaster.

He has coached junior high boy

has been appointed interim director of athletics at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, effective immediately.

Kenneth L. Nafziger, vice president for student life at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, announced Steffen’s appointment.

“Greg Steffen possesses the organizational skills and an ability to work with his colleagues to maintain positive momentum and continuity for the athletic department,” Dr. Nafziger said.

Steffen, head women’s soccer coach at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, will fill the role vacated on Oct. 22 by Larry R. Martin, who was athletic director for three years. He will serve in the position through June 30, 2005.

As athletic director, Steffen will oversee the 17 intercollegiate sports programs at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. He will also serve as a liaison between 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference as well as the National Collegiate Athletic Association

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to serve as interim athletic director at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ for the next seven months,” Steffen said. “I enjoy working with my colleagues in the athletic department. We are dedicated to working together as we strive toward nurturing life-changing athletic experiences for the quality student-athletes at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.

“My goals during this period are to assist the coaches in recruiting the best athletes that fit a Christian university like 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, leading athletes to excellence in their sport and providing an educational experience that prepares them for future success,” he added.

Steffen will remain as head coach of the women

Harrisonburg resident Kevin A. Warner has been named 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s first full-time sports information director in school history, athletic director Larry R. Martin has announced.

“With the World Wide Web becoming prominent in sports reporting but adding another layer of responsibility, the SID needed to become a full-time position,” Martin said. Seth D. McGuffin, who held the SID role while also serving as an assistant track and field coach, has moved into the head coaching position, allowing Kevin to join us,” he added.

“Kevin offers the skills and experiences we were looking for,” Martin said. “His services will only be positive for our student-athletes, their families and the broader 91¶ÌÊÓƵ constituency.”

Warner, a Pennsylvania native, is a graduate of the sport management program at . He also completed a post-graduate internship with the in which he maintained all aspects of the CAA website.

91¶ÌÊÓƵ, an NCAA Division III school and member of the , competes in eight men’s and nine women’s sports.