Photo: David Barnes

Lu Harris-Champer Elected to NFCA Hall of Fame

Longtime Georgia head coach Lu Harris-Champer has been elected to the NFCA Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.

Harris-Champer’s election was announced at the close of the annual Hall of Fame banquet at the NFCA Convention on Friday night in Dallas. Also part of the Class of 2025 are Kutztown coach Judy Lawes, UT-Tyler coach Mike Reed, and travel ball organization head Suzy Willemssen.

Harris-Champer began her head coaching career at Nicholls State in 1996 and ’97, leading that program to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. She spent the 1998-2000 seasons as head coach at Southern Miss and led the Golden Eagles to a pair of Women’s College World Series appearances.

After taking the reins of the Georgia program ahead of the 2001 season, Harris-Champer led the Bulldogs to 959 wins in 21 seasons. Under her shepherding, the UGA program made 20 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, won a pair of SEC regular-season titles and a conference tournament crown, and made 11 Super Regional appearances.

Georgia made five Women’s College World Series appearances under Harris-Champer’s leadership, in 2009, 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2021.

In total, Harris-Champer owns a career 1163-429-1 overall record with seven WCWS appearances.