Jody Gabriel

Jody (Porter) Gabriel starts her fourth year as an assistant softball coach at UW-River Falls.

"Jody has been a great fit for the team. She knows the UW-RF program, understands my coaching philosophy, and is very familiar with the caliber of ball in the WIAC. Her strengths are working defensively with first and third base, and working offensively with the team. Her coaching experiences, leadership and organizational abilities have been great assets to the team and coaching staff, " Coach Faye Perkins said.

Gabriel coached at St. Mary's, Minn., University for two years where the Cardinals were co-MIAC champions in 2001 and placed second in 2002. In 2001 the Cardinals placed fourth in the NCAA National Tournament. She worked primarily with infield corners and hitters. She has also coached at the high school and traveling levels in Hudson, Hastings, River Falls and Forest Lake, Minn., her hometown.

Gabriel competed with the Falcons from 1994-96. The 1994 team won the WIAC title and qualified for the a NCAA Regional. The 1994 team also had the second highest grade point average in the nation. She played high school ball at Forest Lake from 1990-92.

She earned her undergraduate degree from UW-RF in accounting in 1996 and her M.S.E. degree (social studies) from UW-RF in 2000. She is currently teaching social studies at Hudson High School. She is married to Barry Gabriel and they have a daughter, Sydney, who was born in January, 2004. They live in Hudson with their two yellow labs.