CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois softball head coach Tyra Perry will be part of the 2022 hall of fame class for Birmingham-Southern College.

Perry was hired on as the head coach for the first softball season in 2002, not only helping start the program, but establishing it as Division I. 

The selections of the BSC Hall of Fame class include four student-athletes and a coach, all of which made their mark on a women's program while at Birmingham-Southern. The dinner and ceremony will be held on Friday, Oct. 14.

The class is made up of five females representing, women's golf, softball, women's lacrosse, and women's soccer. Birmingham-Southern is recognizing these individuals and honoring them for their accomplishments and in light of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX.

While at the helm, Perry guided Birmingham-Southern to 146 victories in seven years as head coach (six seasons of competition), despite the Panthers being a provisional NCAA Division I member during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

She is credited for laying the foundation for what is expected of the program today, with the 2004 team still sitting at ninth all-time in assists for a single season. 

In 2006, Perry added the title of Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator to her duties and served as the school's compliance director. Perry also was the head coach for a Southeastern All-Star team that played the United States Olympic squad prior to the 2004 games in Athens.

"Twenty years ago, Dr. Neal Berte and Joe Dean Jr. gave me the opportunity to follow my dreams and become a Division I Head Softball Coach," Perry said. "I am forever grateful to the young women and their families who had the courage to take a chance on a brand new program and made the choice to become a Birmingham-Southern College Panther. I am truly honored to have been included in the 2022 Hall of Fame class. BSC will forever hold a special place in my heart."

Over the course of her six years with the team, she averaged over 24 wins a season and led the Panthers to their first winning season in program history. The program has since been nationally recognized multiple times in top 25 polls and national awards.