Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Legend Takes Her Rightful Place With State's All-Time Best
12/17/2020 10:03:00 AM | Softball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – One of the iconic names in Central Michigan Athletics history has taken her rightful place alongside the best the state of Michigan has ever known.
Former CMU softball coach Margo Jonker has been elected to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Joe Louis, Gordie Howe, Al Kaline and Bo Schembechler.
"When I got the call, a few weeks ago now, it was, 'Wow,' said Jonker, who retired after the 2019 season, her 40th at CMU, and with a 1,268-808-7 record that stands as the ninth winningest in NCAA Division I history. "I don't really know how to describe the feeling because it's just so humbling that my name would be put in the mix with those amazing people; it's just amazing to me."
The hall comprises a who's who of the state's wide-ranging and illustrious sports history, from athletes to coaches to team executives and owners to media to college administrators.
Jonker is the fifth Chippewa to be enshrined in the prestigious hall after legendary football coach/athletic director Herb Deromedi, basketball coach Charlie Coles, and basketball players Dan Majerle and Dan Roundfield.
Jonker's legacy in softball coaching is unmatched. She led the Chippewas to the NCAA Tournament 13 times, a record 10 MAC Tournament championships, 10 MAC regular-season titles – also a record -- and one berth each in the Women's College World Series and the AIAW National Championship.
She is the all-time leader in wins, winning percentage, and regular-season and tournament championships among MAC coaches. She earned the MAC Coach of the Year Award 10 times, was selected the NCAA Mideast Region Coach of the Year in 1987, and earned the Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year Award in 1994 and again in 2000.
Eight times under Jonker's tutelage did a Chippewa earn All-America honors; 53 garnered all-region accolades; a combined 126 captured All-MAC first- or second-team honors; seven received the MAC Player of the Year Award, three were honored as the MAC Pitcher of the Year, six received the MAC Freshman of the Year Award, and seven times a Chippewa was honored as the MAC Tournament MVP.
Jonker is now a member of nine halls of fame.
"It's really a tribute to the people that I've been surrounded by," Jonker said. "Quality student-athletes, both on the field and in life. And quality assistant coaches – those people have been amazing; those people are the reason that I've been fortunate enough to be named to this and any other hall of fame. It's a 'takes a village' type thing."
She is a member of the Class of 2020, which includes former Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson, former Detroit Country Day standout Shane Battier, former Detroit Piston Chauncey Billups, gymnast Jordyn Wieber, Albion football coach Pete Schmidt, media members Tom Kowalski and Mary Schroeder, and former NFL team owner Ralph Wilson Jr. Wilson and Kowalski are posthumous inductees.
Former CMU softball coach Margo Jonker has been elected to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Joe Louis, Gordie Howe, Al Kaline and Bo Schembechler.
"When I got the call, a few weeks ago now, it was, 'Wow,' said Jonker, who retired after the 2019 season, her 40th at CMU, and with a 1,268-808-7 record that stands as the ninth winningest in NCAA Division I history. "I don't really know how to describe the feeling because it's just so humbling that my name would be put in the mix with those amazing people; it's just amazing to me."
The hall comprises a who's who of the state's wide-ranging and illustrious sports history, from athletes to coaches to team executives and owners to media to college administrators.
Jonker is the fifth Chippewa to be enshrined in the prestigious hall after legendary football coach/athletic director Herb Deromedi, basketball coach Charlie Coles, and basketball players Dan Majerle and Dan Roundfield.
Jonker's legacy in softball coaching is unmatched. She led the Chippewas to the NCAA Tournament 13 times, a record 10 MAC Tournament championships, 10 MAC regular-season titles – also a record -- and one berth each in the Women's College World Series and the AIAW National Championship.
She is the all-time leader in wins, winning percentage, and regular-season and tournament championships among MAC coaches. She earned the MAC Coach of the Year Award 10 times, was selected the NCAA Mideast Region Coach of the Year in 1987, and earned the Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year Award in 1994 and again in 2000.
Eight times under Jonker's tutelage did a Chippewa earn All-America honors; 53 garnered all-region accolades; a combined 126 captured All-MAC first- or second-team honors; seven received the MAC Player of the Year Award, three were honored as the MAC Pitcher of the Year, six received the MAC Freshman of the Year Award, and seven times a Chippewa was honored as the MAC Tournament MVP.
Jonker is now a member of nine halls of fame.
"It's really a tribute to the people that I've been surrounded by," Jonker said. "Quality student-athletes, both on the field and in life. And quality assistant coaches – those people have been amazing; those people are the reason that I've been fortunate enough to be named to this and any other hall of fame. It's a 'takes a village' type thing."
She is a member of the Class of 2020, which includes former Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson, former Detroit Country Day standout Shane Battier, former Detroit Piston Chauncey Billups, gymnast Jordyn Wieber, Albion football coach Pete Schmidt, media members Tom Kowalski and Mary Schroeder, and former NFL team owner Ralph Wilson Jr. Wilson and Kowalski are posthumous inductees.
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