"I want to thank so many people for affording me this opportunity," Dirschberger said. "I'd like to thank former Athletic Director Mike Jankowski for taking a chance on me. I can't say thank you enough to Father Levesque and Father Hubbert for all of their support during my stay at Niagara."

Dirschberger is retiring from his position as head coach of the Niagara softball team to spend more time with his family, including coaching his son and daughter.

"We thank Al for his 22 years of coaching and teaching the student-athletes at Niagara University," Niagara Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin said. "He leaves the softball program having accomplished so much and prepared for bright days in the future."

Dirschberger, the longest-tenured and winningest Niagara softball coach, took over the Purple Eagles team in 1991. He built a strong softball tradition and eventually won the program's first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title in 1998.

The two-time MAAC Coach of the Year has helped coach three MAAC Player of the Year honorees, three MAAC Rookie of the Year honorees, while helping the program gain 36 spots on All-MAAC teams.

"His dedication to academic success and Niagara University's mission speaks volumes as to the quality person he is," McLaughlin said. "As we transition next year to a new head coach, we have Al to thank for putting us in the position for continued success."

Prior to his retirement, Dirschberger was the longest-active tenured head coach at Niagara University. As Dirschberger retires, head men's basketball coach Joe Mihalich, becomes the longest-active tenured head coach on Monteagle Ridge, having been the head coach since 1998.

"I want to thank all of the Niagara softball players, past and present, for everything that they have gave towards this program," Dirschberger said. "Niagara has been good to me and I hope for its continued success."