Entering her 26th season as head softball coach at Southeast Missouri State, Lana Richmond has the longest consecutive tenure of any Southeast coach and current Ohio Valley Conference coach. Taking over the program in 1982 Richmond is only the third coach in the history of Southeast softball. Richmond has build the program from the ground up, starting with only 2 scholarships and taking the 1991 team to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Over the past 25 seasons, Richmond has experienced unparalleled success as she has climbed the ranks to become the winningest coach in Ohio Valley Conference history and ranks among the top winningest active coaches in NCAA history.

In her first ten seasons, Southeast was a Division II member, competing in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). In Division II, Richmond led the program to four NCAA regional tournament berths, including the 1991 NCAA Final Four. In 1986 she coached one of Southeast's most successful squads, leading them to a school record 40 wins. Her coaching efforts won her NCAA honors as the 1987 and 1990 Division II Coach of the Year.

Since joining the OVC and the ranks of Division I competition in 1992, Richmond has guided her teams to high levels of success, her numerous awards plus her team's accolades speak for themselves. Richmond is in charge of a program that has produced nine 30-plus win seasons over the 15-year span. During this stint, she has also led her squad to one NCAA Division I tournament berth, four OVC tournament crowns and five OVC regular-season championships. While coaching 35 All-OVC first teamers, four OVC Player of the Year recipients and two OVC Pitcher of the Year award winners, through leading Southeast to a .750 winning record in the conference. Her achievements in coaching have not gone unnoticed by her peers where Richmond has been honored four times as OVC Coach of the Year.

Her 26 years at the helm of the program has yielded many highlights. One such highlight was the memorable 2001 season as Richmond was added to the history books as only the 27th coach in Division I history to reach the 700 career win plateau.

"It is about the athletes who have worn the Southeast uniform," Richmond said. "They are the ones who have performed on the field. I have only been their guide through this wonderful journey over the last 25 years."

The 1999 season marked her most successful season in Division I as she led the Southeast to their first NCAA Tournament berth. The squad won its first game versus East Carolina 2-1 on May 21, 1999, making history as the first OVC team to record a victory in the NCAA Tournament.

"Each season our goal is to play in the NCAA tournament. I want this program to consistently be a contender for the conference championship. Our ticket to the NCAA's is through winning our conference tournament," noted Richmond. "Also, it is always a priority to graduate each player recruited to our program, and in 25 years of all the players I have recruited all but 3 have graduated." This past October her team was honored for the ninth-straight year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as an All-Academic team. That team compiled a team grade point average of 3.096. From 1999-2005 her team compiled a streak of six-straight top-ten All-Academic honors. In 2002 her squad climbed to its highest ranking thus far, claiming the nation's second best GPA.

"This accomplishment is a tribute to the student athletes and the high standards they have set for themselves. This is reinforced by the priority placed on academics instilled in our program" said Richmond, who is extremely proud of having spent time over the years impacting student-athletes into productive careers upon graduating Southeast. While her influence has been a catalyst for her players to be successful academically to move into future careers, among her graduates she has helped mentor successful teachers, coaches, doctors and business professionals.

Despite all the academic accolades, Richmond's 2008 squad is ready to prove themselves on the field after struggling last season and missing the OVC Tournament for first time in school history.

"We have the potential by returning 7 starters and acquiring 2 additional pitchers to lead the program back to the top tier of the conference. After injuries plagued the pitching staff last season returning senior Elaine Fisher will be joined by two freshmen. "Pitching coach Jeannine Soncini has worked extensively with Fisher during her career and she has freshman Whitney Dupuis ready to step in. Our pitching staff is pivotal for us to be in contention for the conference finish".

Richmond has been a member of the NFCA since 1987 and served on Division II NCAA All-American and Regional Ranking committees. Richmond last served a two year stint on the NCAA Division One South Region Ranking Committee.

Richmond graduate from Berea College in Berea, Ky. in 1980. Immediately after graduating, she began her coaching career at Georgetown College, before becoming the head softball and volleyball coach at Southeast. As a volleyball coach, Richmond led Southeast to a 203-91 overall record over seven seasons before choosing to concentrate solely on softball.

Richmond also served as the Senior Women's Administrator and Assistant Athletic Director for over 20 years at Southeast before relinquishing her duties to devote her time on the Softball program.

"Coaching at Southeast Missouri State has been an honor and I believe it has been my calling," said Richmond. "I am grateful the Southeast administration took a gamble on a young, inexperienced 23 year old. It is truly my hope I have returned their investment."

Richmond and her husband Tim have a 15-year old daughter, Jordyn who is a member of the Cape Central Cross Country team.