In 24 seasons at St. Thomas and St. Mary’s, softball coach John Tschida has accumulated over 900 victories.

Tschida has led the Tommies and the Cardinals to a combined three NCAA championships and a 902-172 overall record. In his 18 seasons with St. Thomas, he holds a record of 694-128.

“When it’s all said and done, it is pretty cool,” Tschida said, “but it is more so about how you do it, how you accomplish it and what you feel from it all.”

Tschida is the third active NCAA Division III softball coach to surpass 900 wins. Ninety-eight of those wins have come in the postseason.

“Nobody knew about his accomplishment until we saw an actual post on Twitter from the NFCA congratulating him,” Pitcher and infielder Sammy Hogan said. “It contributes to how humble he is.”

Though winning games is an accomplishment for any team, Tschida said in order to get to that point, the players need be dedicated to the game.

“The 900 wins is just there,” Tschida said. “It is not what you have done in the past; it is what you can do today.”

Tschida said that the team is all-inclusive and is filled with women who have a genuine love for the sport.

“I like to see the growth and improvement in plays,” Tschida said. “I don’t make cuts. I have always kept everyone because it is not so much about what you accomplish, it’s about how much better you get. Self improvement and self mastery.”

Outfielder Marina O’Leary said that the success of the team revolves around the hard work of the whole team.

“This accomplishment shows that there is something about this program and culture that works,” O’Leary said. “Our goal is to become the best team that we are supposed to be at the end of the season.”

The team has its eyes are set on an overall improvement as players and people. For Tschida and his team, winning is just an added bonus.

“We’re good, but you always want to get better,” O’Leary said. “Never settle for what you are at and keep going for what you want to become.”

Ava Diaz can be reached at diaz7981@stthomas.edu