As a long-time advocate for developing playing opportunities for men and women in sports, Athletic Director Diane E. Schumacher came to Howard Community College (HCC) of Columbia, Maryland in 1999 with a mission to improve the college’s athletic profile and sports programs. Under her leadership, HCC’s athletic facilities have been upgraded to include a state-of-the art fitness center and superior playing fields frequently used to host tournaments, including NJCAA DIII Track and Field Nationals every three years, Region XX championships and invitationals. The college’s expanded and enhanced sports programs have produced teams that have placed in the national top 10, achieved regional, district and conference championships, as well as All-Academic teams, All-American, All-Region, All Juco performers, and award-winning coaches.
A six-time Hall of Fame inductee, Diane is no stranger to accomplishing goals. She is the first American elected into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame, a member in the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) National Hall of Fame, the State of Connecticut and Massachusetts ASA National Halls of Fame, and the Halls of Fame of Springfield College and Cathedral High School in Massachusetts.
Schumacher is a multiple USA team medal winner as both player and coach on national softball teams, including co-head coach for 1994-95 Olympic Festivals, and assistant coach for 1994 Pre-Pan-American, the 1995 Junior World Championships, and the 2002 Japan Cup. Internationally, she coached the national Holland team 1986-90 to two European Cup championships; 11th in the World. She has been a lead clinician for the ASA national softball schools, and provided broadcast TV color commentary for various national softball programs. She also facilitated the college’s Dragon Lair Update, a TV show highlighting the student-athletes and coaches at HCC where she anchors the show.
A Springfield College undergrad with a Master of Education from Temple University, Schumacher was head coach of basketball and softball at Princeton University (1979-1981) and at Augustana College in Illinois, where she also served as women’s athletic director (1985-1999). Professional memberships include NACWAA, NJCAA, MACDA, and NACDA.
Athletic Director Diane Schumacher’s success in elevating the stature of HCC’s athletic program within the community, state, and nation has helped to attract and develop champion students both on and off the field.
