Andrea “Dre” Frantz (Brunskill), ’10, one of the most decorated scholar-athletes in the history of University of Mary softball, returns to the program as the Marauders head coach. An All-American for the Marauders, Frantz was announced as teh UMary head coach on Dec. 14, 2021.
“After a long and patient search, we were able to hire the right person for the head softball position in Andrea Frantz,” said University of Mary Director of Athletics Dale Lennon. “Dre has been associated with Marauders softball through the years since her playing days and is ready to lead our program into the upper echelon of the NSIC. Once I was informed that Dre had legitimate interest in the head coaching position, we made sure to make this hire possible.
“I also want to thank Assistant Baseball Coach Scott Platt and Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Danielle Radosa for serving as Interim Head Coaches for the fall semester. Their efforts allowed us to be patient while they handled all aspects of running a college softball program.”
Named to a pair of All-American teams her senior season, Frantz joins the Marauders after seven seasons coaching collegiately while also coaching at the high school level. Formerly Andrea Brunskill when she competed at UMary, Frantz was the assistant coach at Bismarck State College last year and was elevated to co-head coach of the Mystics following the season. She was also the Bismarck Legacy High School head coach from 2018-20.
“We are excited to have Dre Frantz return home to her alma mater and lead our softball program,” said University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea. “Our goal in athletics is to not just compete on the field of play to the best of our abilities but to also develop the whole person through the practice of virtue and formation of authentic friendships. Dre was a force on the diamond for the Marauders and we believe in her ability to provide the leadership and individual development our scholar-athletes deserve.”
Frantz has coached locally at the collegiate and high school levels since completing her playing career with the Marauders in 2010. A student assistant coach in 2010-11, Frantz served as the UMary pitching coach for three seasons (2014-16) before taking a season off. She returned as an assistant coach at UMary in 2018 and as a pitching coach for 2019. On the high school, level Frantz worked with Mandan in 2014, then assisting at Bismarck in 2015-18 before taking over the Legacy program.
In 2020 Frantz made the full-time jump to the college-level as an assistant at BSC. With the Mystics she worked with pitchers, catchers, the middle infield, and the outfield. Her duties expanded with the move to co-head coach to include recruiting, fundraising, and more.
“I am thrilled to be back on the hill, and to be here as a coach at my alma mater is an honor,” said Frantz. “Thank you, Dale, Monsignor Shea, and the University of Mary. To my family and friends, your encouragement and support is greatly appreciated. I am beyond eager to build a relationship with the team, trust in the program, and a legacy for UMary softball.”
A four-year starter for the Marauders, Frantz was a member of the first UMary team that competed in the Northern Sun as the school made the transition to NCAA competition. As a freshman in 2007, Frantz was named the NSIC Rookie of the Year and earned All-Northern Sun and the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region first team honors. An NSIC All-Tournament selection as a sophomore in 2008, she again landed on the All-NSIC squad as a junior in 2009 and her senior season in 2010.
Frantz earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA first team All-American honors as a utility player after her impressive senior season. One of only three Marauders during the program’s NCAA era to earn All-American honors, she was also a Daktronics All-American honorable mention selection and a Louisville Slugger/NFCA and Daktronics All-Region choice in 2010 after hitting .427 with a .469 on-base percentage and a .680 slugging percentage, all career-highs. In her four-year career, Frantz posted a batting average of .393 with a .432 on-base percentage and a .605 slugging percentage.
A native of Valley Center, CA, Frantz graduated from the University of Mary in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in both special education and physical education. She earned a master’s degree as a special education strategist from Minot State University in 2014. Frantz has worked in the field of special education at both middle and high schools and in student accessibility and peer mentoring at Bismarck State College.
Dre and her husband Cody are parents to Berkley, Boomer, and Brewer. In addition to making Bismarck her home, Dre’s parents, sister, and brother have all moved to North Dakota as well.
Frantz becomes the Marauders eighth head softball coach in program history. Since first taking to the diamond in 1987, the Marauders own 13 conference championships and made seven national championship appearances.