Western Illinois Softball
Western Illinois University · Leathernecks
Ohio Valley · Macomb, IL
$15K
In-state tuition
Up to 25
Scholarships
allowed under 2025 roster-limit rules (funding varies by program)
45%
Graduation rate
Room & board: $11K
2023-2024 data via IPEDS
Western Illinois softball at a glance
Where the program sits and what a year here costs. How athletic aid works in D1.
- Conference level
- Mid-Major
- Est. year, all in
- $25,872Tuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid.
- Debt as a share of year-10 pay
- 47%Median debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back.
- Total enrollment
- 7,073
Cost, debt and enrollment: IPEDS 2023-2024 and College Scorecard. Conference level: CommitBound.
Program Info
- Division
- D1
- Conference
- Ohio Valley
- Location
- Macomb, IL
- Scholarships
- Up to 25 (2025 roster rules)
Coaching Staff
Dwight Sanders
Head Coach
d•••@wiu.eduCollin Hopkins
Assistant Coach
Tori McQueen
Graduate Assistant Coach
Something wrong? Report a coaching change
Camps & Clinics
High School Camp
- Date
- 10/25/2026
- Cost
- $40
- Age Group
- 13 - 18
The listing doesn't say what kind of camp this is — check the registration page.
Register at official siteTravelling in? 1 night in Macomb, IL, Oct 25–Oct 26. Check hotel prices →
From Ryzer, checked . Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.
Kids Camp
- Date
- 10/25/2026
- Cost
- $40
- Age Group
- 8 - 12
For younger players, roughly 8th grade and under — development, not recruiting.
Register at official siteTravelling in? 1 night in Macomb, IL, Oct 25–Oct 26. Check hotel prices →
From Ryzer, checked . Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.
Camp Tips for Recruits
- Your club coach is your best resource for identifying which events are worth your money and time.
- Budget $1,000-3,000 per year for camps and combines. Plan your calendar strategically.
- Contact the coaching staff BEFORE attending their camp to express your interest. They will watch more closely.
What Western Illinois Coaches Look For
Recruiting benchmarks for Mid-Major programs. Min = on the radar, Competitive = solidly in the pool, Elite = stands out.
See how your metrics compare to Western Illinois's standards.
Try CalculatorBenchmarks compiled from recruiting services. Individual programs may have different expectations based on roster needs.
Quick Fit Check
Enter your top metrics to see how you compare to Western Illinois's Mid-Major standards.
Recruiting Timeline
D1 contact rules for Western Illinois. Select your graduation year to see personalized deadlines.
Class of 2028 — currently a Junior
When Coaches Can Contact You
1 p.m. Central on September 1 of junior year — coaches can call, text, email, and DM on social media
Campus Visits
Official and unofficial visits are allowed from 1 p.m. Central on September 1 of junior year, but a dead period usually covers the first days of September (August 28–September 3 in 2026-27), so visits start once it ends. Walking a campus on your own is allowed anytime.
Offers & Commitments
No recruiting conversations, so no verbal offers, before 1 p.m. Central on September 1 of junior year; verbal offers are not binding. A school can't put an aid offer in writing until August 1 of senior year. Softball has one signing date (the second Wednesday of November of senior year) and no separate spring period; each school sets its own final deadline. (The written offer of athletics aid replaced the NLI in October 2024.)
Key Dates
- 1 p.m. Central, September 1 of junior year — calls, texts, emails and DMs open; visits follow after the early-September dead period
- August 1 of senior year — a school may put an aid offer in writing
- Second Wednesday of November, senior year — signing opens (no spring period)
Updated for 2026-27 NCAA rules
Ready to start your recruiting journey?
Create your accountWestern Illinois softball roster outlook
Western Illinois carries 23 players on its 2026-2027 roster. 4 seniors and graduate students leave after this season, the most at infielders (2).
| Position | Leaving | Returning |
|---|---|---|
| Pitchers | 1 | 6 |
| Catchers | 0 | 3 |
| Infielders | 2 | 4 |
| Outfielders | 1 | 5 |
| Utility | 0 | 1 |
From the program's published 2026-2027 roster. “Leaving” counts seniors and graduate students; juniors who transfer or leave early are not included, and players with remaining eligibility can return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get recruited by Western Illinois University softball?
Start by filling out the Western Illinois University recruiting questionnaire, then email the coaching staff directly. Attend camps and showcases where Western Illinois University coaches are present. CommitBound can help you track your outreach and build recruiting habits.
Does Western Illinois University offer softball scholarships?
Western Illinois University is a D1 program. Up to 25 scholarships are allowed under the 2025 roster-limit rules, though funding varies by program.
When are Western Illinois University softball camps?
Western Illinois University has 2 camps listed. Check the camps section above for dates, costs, and registration links.
Who is the head coach at Western Illinois University?
The current head coach is Dwight Sanders. Verified coach email access is available with a free CommitBound account.
Follow Western Illinois Softball
Location
Recruiting Difficulty
This is a competitive D1 program. Strong travel ball and academic credentials are expected. Start reaching out to coaches early.
Graduate Outcomes
- Median earnings (10yr)
- $54,163/yr
- Median earnings (6yr)
- $43,057/yr
- Median student debt
- $25,251
- Admission rate
- 71%
Average Value — 10-year median earnings vs. four years of published tuition
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; tuition from IPEDS.
Academic Profile
- Avg. net price
- $12,937/yr
- Students on Pell Grant
- 28%
Avg. net price is the actual average cost after aid — not sticker tuition. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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Quick Facts
- Division
- D1
- Conference
- Ohio Valley
- State
- IL
- Camps Listed
- 2
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Western Illinois Recruiting Questionnaire
Direct link to the official questionnaire and what to have ready
Western Illinois Softball Camps
Camp dates, registration links, and how to prepare
All Recruiting Guides
Step-by-step guides for every stage of recruiting
We work hard to keep all data for Western Illinois accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Recruiting at Western Illinois?
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