CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – With the NCAA's coaching limit increase going into effect on July 1, former Fighting Illini softball ace Sydney Sickels has been named the newest assistant coach to the Illinois softball coaching staff, head coach Tyra Perry announced.

"Sydney Sickels has been the heart and soul of Illini softball for the past five years. She was a leader in the circle and as captain, she supported each of our student-athletes both on and off the field," shared Perry. "With the recent increase in softball roster sizes, having someone with Sydney's skill set and perspective on staff will make an immediate impact in our program."

With the NCAA adopting a proposal earlier this year, the number of countable coaches in baseball, softball and ice hockey increased to four total in each sport. The new rule also eliminated the volunteer coach designation.

Sickels joins the Orange and Blue coaching staff following a stellar five-year career at Illinois. The Indianola, Iowa, native rewrote the Illinois softball history book during her time in Champaign-Urbana. Sickels closed out her stint in 2023 as the program's leader in career strikeout (714), strikeouts looking (204) and saves (19). She owns the single-game strikeout record, fanning 21 batters in an extra-inning thriller against Fordham this past season. The NFCA All-Region selection also tossed the 14th and 15th no-hitters in program history.

"I'm beyond thankful to Coach Perry and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics for the opportunity to continue to be a part of a university, program and sport that has shaped me into who I am," said Sickels. "I'm excited to get to work!"

Sickels is the second addition to Perry's coaching staff this off-season. Kirsten Verdun was named an assistant coach in early June after previously spending eight seasons at Wisconsin.