LISA CAREY
1978-
Inducted – 2010
She became the winningest softball coach at Washburn University in just seven seasons, but Topeka native Lisa Kay Carey made a name for herself in a big way on the playing field before turning to the coaching profession. Carey was a three-time All-American and national champion at the University of Oklahoma where she was the starting first baseman on the Sooners’ 2000 national title and Big 12 championship teams as a junior. That same season, she was selected as the Big 12 Player of the Year and first team All-American after leading Oklahoma in batting average (.405), hits (90), home runs (20), runs batted in (77), total bases (173) and slugging percentage (.779) in 74 games. As a senior, Carey was named All-American for the third time after leading the Sooners to the College World Series as she batted .400, scored 50 runs and produced 76 hits in 59 games. During her prep career at Washburn Rural, Carey was a 1996 high school All-American as a junior, while hitting .478 with 10 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 25 RBI. On the mound, she was dominant with a 48-3 record, 0.31 earned run average and 130 strikeouts in her high school career. During her four-year run with the Junior Blues, she helped them to a four-year record of 87-4 record and the Class 6A state championship as a sophomore. Carey was named Washburn’s softball coach on Aug. 14, 2002. Born: September 26, 1978 – Topeka, Kansas. Graduated: Washburn Rural H.S., 1997; University of Oklahoma, 2001.