Heather Ross Hired as Next Leader of Tufts University Softball Program

MEDFORD, MA (September 10, 2026) - Heather Ross, who led the Worcester Polytechnic Insttitue (WPI) softball team to the two most successful seasons in program history, has been hired as the new leader of the Tufts University softball program.

Ross replaces Lauren Ebstein, who left the Jumbos in July to become the pitching coach at Division I Northwestern University.

Last spring at WPI, Ross guided the Engineers to an outstanding season with a 44-5 record that included winning the NEWMAC Championship and a run to the NCAA Tournament Regional finals. Ross' 2026 WPI team included three players selected as NFCA All-Americans, which was the most ever for the program. The seven Engineers who earned NFCA All-Region honors last spring were also the most ever for the team. Seventeen players also achieved NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete awards with grade point averages of 3.50 or better. Ross and her assistant coaches were honored as the NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year.

In her first year at WPI in 2022, Ross guided the team to its first-ever appearance at the Division III College World Series. The Engineers won the NEWMAC title and defeated Tufts in a best-of-three NCAA Super Regional to advance to the NCAA finals. Her 2025 squad earned the NFCA's Highest Team GPA honor. Over five years at WPI, Ross compiled a 147-77-1 record for a .656 winning percentage.

Ross takes over a Tufts program that is expected to return 20 players from a team that won 31 games, earned the #1 seed for the NESCAC regular-season and hosted an NCAA Regional at Spicer Field last year. In its history, the Jumbo softball program won three straight NCAA Championships from 2013-15, has earned 24 NCAA Tournament berths overall and has captured 13 conference titles.

"Tufts Softball is a storied program with a rich history of success, and we are thrilled to welcome Heather and her family to Tufts Athletics," said Director of Athletics Ryan Pisarri. "From the beginning of the interview process, it was clear that Heather's integrity, leadership, and genuine appreciation for what makes Tufts Softball special would make her an outstanding fit for our program. We are excited to see her build upon the program's strong tradition and lead our student-athletes to continued success, both on and off the field."

For five seasons from 2017-2021, Ross was the head coach at Lesley University where she compiled an 84-62 record and earned an NECC Coach of the Year award in 2021. Her 2017 Lynx team won the NECC Championship and earn an NCAA Tournament berth. She began her coaching career with assistant positions at UMass Lowell and Emmanuel College. Ross is also the owner of Hard 60 Softball Academy, which runs mental performance workshops for teams and individuals, and hosts softball clinics for youth through high school ages.

"I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to serve as the next head coach of the Tufts Softball program," Ross said. "I want to sincerely thank Director of Athletics Ryan Pisarri, Deputy Director of Athletics Alexis Mastronardi, and the entire search committee for believing in my vision and giving me the opportunity to lead such a special program. Tufts Softball has a strong history and tradition built by generations of coaches, student-athletes, and alumni, and I recognize the responsibility that comes with being entrusted to lead it forward. I am grateful for the opportunity to honor that foundation while bringing my own leadership to the program."

From Waltham, Mass. originally, Ross joins a Jumbo Athletics Department which won four NCAA Championships during the 2025-26 year. Tufts has 19 NCAA team championships overall since 2010. The Jumbos finished last year ranked second in the Division III Learfield Directors' Cup standings, scoring its most points ever. Tufts also had a most-ever 19 student-athletes earn College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® awards in 2025-26, including Softball graduates Lauryn Horita and Haley Leimbach.

"I am thrilled to get started at Tufts and be a part of such a prestigious University and Athletic Department," she said. "Throughout the process, I was drawn to the shared commitment to excellence across the department, the high academic standards, and the championship tradition of Tufts Softball. I felt a strong alignment between the values of the department and the way I believe a student-athlete experience should be built. The opportunity to lead at an institution where excellence is pursued in the classroom, in competition, and through the overall student experience made Tufts incredibly special to me. I'm excited to build meaningful relationships with the team, and help steward the next chapter of Tufts Softball."

Ross is a 2011 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a degree in sociology and writing. She also has a Master's degree in economic and social development from UMass Lowell which she earned in 2013. As an undergrad, she played four seasons (2008-11) of softball for the River Hawks and ranks among the program's top 10 all-time in several statistical categories. She was a senior leader of the 2011 team that earned an NCAA Tournament berth.

The first Tufts University softball coach since 1987 who is not an alumni of the University, Ross is scheduled to start at Tufts on September 14.

"My coaching philosophy is rooted in relationships, high standards, and intentional preparation and growth," Ross said. "I believe my responsibility as a leader is to equally challenge and support student-athletes to become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the field. I strive to instill ownership, leadership, and confidence while creating a culture where intensity and joy, accountability and care, can coexist. Ultimately, I want our student-athletes to pursue excellence, enjoy the ride, and leave the program better prepared for the life they want beyond softball."

What They Are Saying About Heather Ross ...

"Heather has an undeniable passion for developing her student-athletes while connecting with them as people. She is a proven winner, not just in the context of record but in who she is as a person and how she conducts herself. Tufts is an elite institution academically and athletically and Heather is an elite coach. The brilliant tradition of Tufts Softball will proudly continue under her leadership."
- Ashley Waters, Head Softball Coach, Boston University

"Heather Ross is a phenomenal hire for Tufts! She is a passionate coach, who works unbelievably hard to make her players better. Her hard work and passion always translates into wins and I am so excited to watch her thrive at Tufts!" 
- Mary Holt-Kelsch, Head Softball Coach, Brown University

"I would like to congratulate Tufts on the hiring of Heather Ross, although very bittersweet for us.  Heather has done tremendous work with our softball program and for our student-athletes which we are thankful for and we know she will maintain a strong bond with our softball alumnae.  We wish Heather all the best, except when competing against WPI, in her new coaching journey."
- Dana L. Harmon, Director of Physical Education, Recreation & Athletics, WPI