Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2017
- Class:
- 2006
Amanda Williams ended her Thundering Herd playing career with her name atop several charts in the school record book, then helped the Thundering Herd reach new heights as an assistant coach at her alma mater. Williams ended her stellar college career as the school's career leader in hits (265), runs scored (184), doubles (68), RBI (142), total bases (408) and walks (93). She was second in stolen bases (88), batting average (.370) and on-base percentage (.447) and finished her career third in home runs (20).
When the Powder Springs, Ga., product signed with Marshall, along with her twin sister Jessica, the Thundering Herd softball program entered a new era of prominence. She was a four-time, first-team all-conference selection, including being selected three times first team All-MAC in 2003-04-05 and All-Conference USA in 2006. She was also named to the MAC’s All-Tournament team in 2005 and was a three-time first team All-Midwest Region honoree in 2003-04-05, picking up a second team All-Midwest Region nod in 2006. She was named the MAC Freshman of the Year (2003) and The Parthenon’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2003. Amanda won a spot on the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2006, and was named a NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) All-American Scholar Athlete in 2002-03 and 2005-06. She helped lead Marshall to win the Mid-American Conference regular season championship in 2003 and 2005 with a program-best conference record of 20-4 both seasons.
She was drafted by the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fast Pitch (NPF) league and played her rookie year in 2006, winning a regular-season title with the Bandits. Williams then played for the Rockford Thunder from 2007-09, helping lead them to the NPF title in 2009, while earning all-star honors. She played for the Tennessee Diamonds in 2010 and went back to Chicago for two seasons, winning a title in 2011. Williams was an assistant coach for Shonda Stanton through 2013’s Conference USA Championship season and the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Williams Paz was inducted into the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
