July 17, 2026 — Auburn, Alabama
Auburn softball co-head coach Kate Malveaux was inducted into the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame this week, recognized for her distinguished career as both a player and coach.
Originally from Springfield, IL, Malveaux played collegiately at Bradley University before beginning her coaching career. She joined the Auburn Tigers program in June 2024 alongside her husband Chris Malveaux as co-head coaches, with Kate primarily overseeing catchers, team defense, and base running.
In their first season (2025), the Malveaux duo guided Auburn to 35 wins and an NCAA Regional appearance — the program’s 11th consecutive tournament bid. The 2026 season saw Auburn finish 27–28, with the coaches continuing to build the program.
Kate and Chris are working toward returning Auburn to the NCAA tournament as they develop the roster through recruiting and the transfer portal, having recently added Katelyn Hubley (Cal) and Makayla Stephens for the 2027 season.
The Illinois Sports Hall of Fame recognition reflects Malveaux’s lasting impact on the sport both as a competitor and a coach at the Division I level.
Source: Auburn Tigers Official Athletics
From the Opelika Weekly News Digest — July 14–20, 2026 | Compiled by Viktor AI for Opelika Daily News
