D1MAAC

Competitive

Canisius Softball

Canisius University · Golden Griffins

MAAC · Buffalo, NY

Solid ProgramGrads earn $61K/yr

$33K

In-state tuition

Up to 25

Scholarships

allowed under 2025 roster-limit rules (funding varies by program)

71%

Graduation rate

Room & board: $13K

NCAA Tournament 1 of last 5 years

2023-2024 data via IPEDS

Canisius softball at a glance

Where the program sits and what a year here costs. How athletic aid works in D1.

Conference level: Mid-Major
Est. year, all in: $45,880Tuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid.
Debt as a share of year-10 pay: 40%Median debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back.
Total enrollment: 2,545

Cost, debt and enrollment: IPEDS 2023-2024 and College Scorecard. Conference level: CommitBound.

Program Info

Division: D1
Conference: MAAC
Location: Buffalo, NY
Scholarships: Up to 25 (2025 roster rules)

Recruiting Questionnaire

Coaching Staff

Joe Gierlak

Head Coach

g•••@canisius.edu

Abby Sotter

Assistant Coach

s•••@canisius.edu

Christie McGee-Ross

Assistant Coach

m•••@canisius.edu

Create a free account to unlock coach emails →

Something wrong? Report a coaching change

Camps & Clinics

Camp

Canisius University Softball Camps

Date: Date TBD
Cost: See registration
Age Group: All ages

The listing doesn't say what kind of camp this is — check the registration page.

From the school's athletics site, checked Sep 28, 2026. Confirm dates and cost on the registration page before you travel.

Browse all softball camps in New York →

Camp Tips for Recruits

Budget $1,000-3,000 per year for camps and combines. Plan your calendar strategically.
Quality over quantity — 5 well-chosen events beats 15 random ones.
Bring printed copies of your recruiting profile to hand to coaches after your session.

What Canisius Coaches Look For

Recruiting benchmarks for Mid-Major programs. Min = on the radar, Competitive = solidly in the pool, Elite = stands out.

Pitching Velocity

61 mphMin

64 mphCompetitive

68 mphElite

Exit Velocity (Tee)

69 mphMin

72 mphCompetitive

76 mphElite

Home to 1st (RH)

3 secMin

2.8 secCompetitive

2.7 secElite

Overhand Throw (IF)

63 mphMin

68 mphCompetitive

72 mphElite

Pop Time (2B)

1.95 secMin

1.85 secCompetitive

1.75 secElite

GPA

3.3Min

3.5Competitive

3.8Elite

See how your metrics compare to Canisius's standards.

Try Calculator

Pitching velocity by age →Exit velocity by age →

Benchmarks compiled from recruiting services. Individual programs may have different expectations based on roster needs.

Quick Fit Check

Enter your top metrics to see how you compare to Canisius's Mid-Major standards.

Grade:

Pitching Velocity (mph)

Exit Velocity (Tee) (mph)

Exit Velocity (Live) (mph)

See all 10 metrics across every division →

Recruiting Timeline

D1 contact rules for Canisius. Select your graduation year to see personalized deadlines.

Class of 2028 — currently a Junior

When Coaches Can Contact You

September 1 of junior year — coaches can call, text, email, and DM on social media

Campus Visits

Official and unofficial visits with the coaching staff can begin September 1 of junior year (campus visits without recruiting contact are allowed anytime)

Offers & Commitments

Verbal offers can happen anytime (not binding). Written aid offers are signed during the early or regular signing period (the NLI was eliminated in October 2024).

Key Dates

September 1, junior year — official contact begins
September 1, junior year — official and unofficial visits can begin
Early signing period (November) — written aid offer signing
Regular signing period (April) — written aid offer signing

Updated for 2025-2026 NCAA rules

Ready to start your recruiting journey?

Take the Free Assessment

See how your profile matches up with Canisius

Tournament Attendance

Exclusive

Listed by the organizer

Upcoming events whose organizer currently lists Canisius on their attending-college list. Attendance is set by organizers and can change.

Don Battles On

Nov 20, 2026Ontario, CA

Seen Canisius at a tournament? You do not need the coach's name. Report a coach sighting

Canisius softball roster outlook

Canisius carries 23 players on its 2026-2027 roster. 6 seniors and graduate students leave after this season, the most at outfielders (3).

Canisius 2026-2027 roster by position: players leaving after this season and returning
Position	Leaving	Returning
Pitchers	2	4
Catchers	0	5
Infielders	1	5
Outfielders	3	3

From the program's published 2026-2027 roster. “Leaving” counts seniors and graduate students; juniors who transfer or leave early are not included, and players with remaining eligibility can return.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get recruited by Canisius University softball?

Start by filling out the Canisius University recruiting questionnaire, then email the coaching staff directly. Attend camps and showcases where Canisius University coaches are present. CommitBound can help you track your outreach and build recruiting habits.

Does Canisius University offer softball scholarships?

Canisius University is a D1 program. Up to 25 scholarships are allowed under the 2025 roster-limit rules, though funding varies by program.

When are Canisius University softball camps?

Canisius University has 1 camp listed, but none with a confirmed date yet. Check the camps section above for costs and registration links.

Who is the head coach at Canisius University?

The current head coach is Joe Gierlak. Verified coach email access is available with a free CommitBound account.

Follow Canisius Softball

X / Twitter Instagram

Location

Recruiting Difficulty

Competitive

This is a competitive D1 program. Strong travel ball and academic credentials are expected. Start reaching out to coaches early.

Graduate Outcomes

Median earnings (10yr): $60,681/yr
Median earnings (6yr): $46,089/yr
Median student debt: $24,250
Admission rate: 72%

Consider ROI — 10-year median earnings vs. four years of published tuition

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; tuition from IPEDS.

Academic Profile

Avg. net price: $17,940/yr
Students on Pell Grant: 32%

Avg. net price is the actual average cost after aid — not sticker tuition. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Interested in Canisius?

See how your recruiting profile matches up with D1 programs. Get a free readiness score in 5 minutes.

Take the Free Assessment

No account required

More D1 Programs in NY

Syracuse University

ACC

Fordham University

Atlantic 10

St. Bonaventure University

Atlantic 10

University at Albany

America East

Binghamton University

America East

St. John's University

Big East

Quick Facts

Division: D1
Conference: MAAC
State: NY
Camps Listed: 1

Similar Programs

View all MAAC softball programs →

Programs with similar academics, cost, and competitiveness to Canisius

St. Bonaventure University

D1 · Atlantic 10

Compare →

Le Moyne College

D1 · NEC

Compare →

Saint Francis University

D1 · NEC

Robert Morris University

D1 · Horizon

Compare →

Niagara University

D1 · MAAC

Rider University

D1 · MAAC

Mercyhurst University

D1 · NEC

Saint Peter's University

D1 · MAAC

Mount St. Mary's University

D1 · MAAC

Siena College

D1 · MAAC

Fairleigh Dickinson University

D1 · NEC

Monmouth University

D1 · CAA

Explore Softball in New York

Camps in New York

Find prospect camps and clinics at New York programs

Tournaments in New York

Browse upcoming softball tournaments and showcases

Canisius Recruiting Questionnaire

Direct link to the official questionnaire and what to have ready

Canisius Softball Camps

Camp dates, registration links, and how to prepare

All Recruiting Guides

Step-by-step guides for every stage of recruiting

We work hard to keep all data for Canisius accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.

See if you're ready for Canisius

Take our free 5-minute assessment to see how your recruiting profile matches up with D1 programs.

Free Assessment See Pricing