Cleveland State University Director of Athletics Mike Thomas announced Amy Kyler, a former standout Viking pitcher and 2008 CSU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, as the head softball coach July 31, 2018.

"We are very excited to announce Amy Kyler as our head softball coach and welcome her back to Cleveland State University," Thomas said at the time of the hiring. "Amy brings tremendous experience and knowledge of the sport, especially with her success as a standout pitcher and developing pitchers. She has a clear vision for the program and I look forward to her leadership of our softball program."

Kyler has spent the last 11 seasons as the head coach at Notre Dame (OH), leading the program to 287 wins and helping the program transition from NAIA to Division II. During her tenure with the Falcons, she mentored 28 all-conference players, four conference Players of the Year, two all-region selections, three NAIA All-Americans and 14 NAIA Academic All-Americans.

A two-time conference Coach of the Year (2009, 2012), Kyler led the Falcons to three consecutive American Mideast Conference tournament titles (2009-11) and three straight appearances in the NAIA national tournament, which included a fifth place finish at the 2009 NAIA National Championship. She also guided the squad to the 2015 Mountain East Conference title.

"It's an honor to be back at Cleveland State, leading the Viking softball program," Kyler said at the time of her hiring. "My passion for the CSU program still runs through me. I have a great knowledge of the area and also strong contacts within the community. I am thankful for the outstanding support of the Cleveland States administrative staff and am excited to get started."

Kyler was the top assistant coach at Purdue from 2005-07, while also spending time as an assistant coach at Cleveland State (2001-05) and Bowling Green (1998-01).

The top pitcher to come through the Cleveland State program, Kyler's name is still plastered in the record books. She ranks first in school history in career ERA (1.35), shutouts (37), no-hitters (6) and WHIP (0.93), while also ranking second in wins (68), innings pitched (728.1), win percentage (.624), strikeouts (909), games started (103) and complete games (92).

During her senior year in 1997, Kyler was named the Midwestern Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Year after setting CSU single season records for wins (24), ERA (0.56), games started (27), appearances (33), shutouts (15), strikeouts (325) and innings pitched (210.2).

The ERA and strikeout marks are still tops in CSU history today.

Kyler also led the Vikings to the 1997 MCC Championship, earning MVP honors after tying an NCAA record with 26 strikeouts against UIC, a record that stood until 2004.

Kyler was a two-time First Team All-MCC selection (1996, 1997) and a second team pick in 1995. She was also named to the All-Great Lakes Region second team in 1995. 

Following her playing days at CSU, Kyler played professionally with the Carolina Diamonds and Akron Racers of the Women's Professional Softball League, as well as the Sacramento Sunbirds of the National Fastpitch League.

Kyler made 79 appearances during her professional career, winning 38 games and posted a 1.99 ERA and 367 strikeouts in 491 innings of work.

She retired from professional softball in 2007 and the Akron Racers retired her No. 24 jersey.

Kyler is a cum laude graduate of Cleveland State, earning degrees in social work and psychology. She also earned her Master's in sports management from CSU in 2002.

She was a two-time recipient of CSU's Athletic Academic Excellence Award and a three-time NSCA Academic All-American Scholar Athlete (1995-97).