INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --- Minnesota State softball coach Lori Meyer has been nominated for the NCAA Division II 50th Anniversary Gold Award.

The award, which is part of the division's yearlong 50th anniversary celebration that launched August 7 and will extend through the 2024 Division II baseball championship in June, will recognize two individuals (one who identifies as male and one who identifies as female) who have made a positive impact in Division II.

Meyer is one of nine NSIC nominees for the award.

Meyer is entering her 40th season as head coach of the Minnesota State softball team and she is the winningest active Division II coach with 1,366 career wins. She owns a 1,366-733-3 (.650) record and 122 of her student-athletes have received all-conference honors. Her student-athletes have also garnered 31 All-American honors, including seven who have earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors.

Meyer's teams have reached the NCAA Tournament 17 times during her tenure, including three trips to the NCAA Championships in 1987, 2011 and 2017. During the 2017 season, Minnesota State would put together a 64-7 record as the Mavericks went on to win the NCAA Division II Championship.

Along with the NCAA Tournament appearances, the Mavericks have claimed eight conference championships, including three in the North Central Conference (1987, 1989, 2007) and five in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). Meyer was also named the NSIC Coach of the Year four times in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017. In 2013, Meyer was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame. She also serves as Minnesota State's Senior Women's Advisor.

The nominees include current and former student-athletes, coaches, faculty members and administrators from active member schools and conferences who have helped shape Division II over time.
Conference offices will review nominated individuals and select two winners (one who identifies as male and one who identifies as female) by November 6. The NCAA Division II Management Council Identity Subcommittee will review the finalists and select two overall winners who will be recognized at the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix, Ariz.