SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University is saddened by the passing of longtime softball and volleyball head coach Margie Knight '79.

"Our Sea Gull family is devastated by the loss of Margie Knight," said Dr. Gerry DiBartolo, Salisbury's Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation. "She was not only an outstanding coach who was beloved by her student-athletes, peers and colleagues and a phenomenal student-athlete during her undergraduate career, but she was well respected and loved in our community, the Eastern Shore and beyond. She leaves a legacy at Salisbury that will be remembered for years to come and we are all better people for having Margie in our lives. I extend my condolences, on behalf of the entire campus community, to Margie's family, friends, colleagues, players and all who are grieving this loss with us."

The 2018 inductee into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame, she spent 24 seasons as the head coach of SU softball before retiring in 2020. In addition, Knight served 16 seasons as the head coach of SU volleyball from 1997-2012.

Even in her retirement, Knight remained a constant presence on the sidelines at both softball and volleyball games as a volunteer assistant coach.

In softball, Knight owned an overall record of 846-209-2 with an .801 winning percentage in her 25 seasons at Salisbury. Across all NCAA divisions, Knight sat 12th all-time in winning percentage. In the Division III all-time record book, Knight ranked sixth in winning percentage. She is one of only 14 coaches in the history of Division III to eclipse the 800-win mark.

On the field, Knight led the Sea Gulls to three NCAA Finals appearances, nine College World Series appearances, 20 NCAA Tournament berths and 18 Capital Athletic Conference (CAC, now Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference) Championships. Knight was recognized by her peers as the CAC Coach of the Year 14 times and her coaching staff collected Regional Coaching Staff of the Year accolades 10 times.

Knight's softball players received numerous national, regional and conference honors under her tutelage. During Knight's two-plus decade tenure, Salisbury earned 38 All-Americans, 116 All-Region players, 22 CAC Players of the Year, nine CAC Rookies of the Year and 184 All-CAC selections.

Under Knight's direction, the volleyball team won eight CAC championships and advanced to eight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2012. She collected a 405-175 record in her 16 seasons as head coach.

On the volleyball court, Knight was named the Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year twice by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and earned four CAC Coach of the Year awards. She coached 13 All-Americans, 19 All-Region selections, six CAC Players of the Year, two CAC Rookies of the Year and 46 All-CAC honorees.

A native of Catonsville, Md. and a 1979 graduate of SU, Knight was a standout student-athlete during her time at Salisbury. A three-sport letter winner for the Sea Gulls, Knight served as a team captain for women's basketball, softball and volleyball for two years. She was twice named the MVP of the basketball team and was selected as the MVP of the softball team as a senior. In recognition of her outstanding collegiate career, Knight was inducted into the Salisbury Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Maryland State Softball Hall of Fame in 2008.

Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football and the Metropolitan Swimming and Diving Conference for men's and women's swimming. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, and dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on-and-off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 22 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 189 conference championships and 43 Academic All-Americans.

To learn more about the tradition of excellence with Sea Gull Athletics, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or on social media @SUSeaGulls.