Julie Pratt returns for her sixth season on the coaching staff at her alma mater. She was named an assistant coach at Akron in July 2006 and promoted to associate head coach in July 2007. Pratt is a steadfast part of the Zips' success on and off the field.

“I am thrilled that Julie has chosen to return to her alma mater with me,” said head coach Julie Jones said at the time of her hiring. “She has one of the best softball minds around and is a great coach. This program, our athletes and I will benefit greatly from her knowledge and love of the game.”

Prior to coming to Akron, Pratt spent one season as an assistant coach with Jones at Cleveland State. During that time she worked primarily with the hitters and outfielders and aided in the Vikings’ recruiting efforts.

“Pratt knows how to analyze the game as well as anyone,” Jones added. “She has great insight into the intricacies of our sport and has an outstanding rapport with the players which helps her share her knowledge with the team. I cannot put a value on the things she brings to our program.”

Pratt spent seven seasons at IUPUI, the last six as head coach. During her tenure in Indianapolis, she amassed a 101-191 (.346) career record and was one of two coaches in school history to accumulate at least 100 wins. In 2005, she coached IUPUI to a 20-25 overall record and 10-10 mark in league play, earning Coach of the Year honors.

She mentored 13 all-conference players and 14 Academic All-Mid-Con student-athletes as head coach. Three players were named Mid-Con Newcomer of the Year and three all-region under her tutelage.

Pratt also served as an assistant coach at Wright State from 1996-98. While there, she helped the Raiders to a then school-record 29 wins in 1997 in addition to heading up the Student-Athlete Resource Center.

A 1996 graduate of Akron with a degree in sociology and corrections, Pratt was a four-year letterwinner for the Zips at catcher and designated player. A 1994 All-Mid-American Conference selection, she ranks seventh on the career home runs list (21) and ninth on the RBI tally with 96. She still shares the single-season record for doubles with 17, is fourth in single season RBI (26) and eighth in single season home runs (9).

Pratt and her husband Chris have three children, Hunter, Savannah, and Parker.