Bump elevated to head coach

Assistant replaces Lajeunesse, who retired last week

Siena didn’t take long to replace softball coach Bill Lajeunesse, who retired last Wednesday.

Just five days later, the Saints announced on Monday the promotion of Casey (Halloran) Bump, a Columbia High and University at Albany graduate who has been Siena’s top assistant and pitching coach the past seven years.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Bump said. “I’m excited to hopefully get the girls started soon and get them back on campus and get working with them and get them headed in the right direction.”

Lajeunesse, who had a heart attack last year, stepped down after 10 seasons and 200 victories. He’s the winningest coach in program history.

“Times are just so different right now and I think the unknown of where this (COVID-19) virus might go, and he’s had some health issues

all along,” Bump said. “I really didn’t see it coming, but when he did tell me and told me the reasons why and stuff like that, I understood it. You know, Laj has been great to me for seven years. I say it all the time. He gave me this opportunity to come and coach. Without him, I wouldn’t be here, but I also learned a lot from him.”

She said athletic director John D’argenio promptly asked her about her vision for the program and offered her the job.

“I’m grateful that Casey has helped Siena softball grow and excel as a program,” D’argenio said in a news release. “We are fortunate to have her here, and then be able to turn to her to lead the program.”

Bump worked alongside Lajeunesse and was given plenty of responsibility as the Saints posted nine of the 10 winningest seasons in the program’s 46-year history.

“He knows how to manage every kid differently and get the most out of them, so I really think, I’m going to take that and go with it,” Bump said. “I think the times are a little different, and everybody’s different. I think the most important thing to know is that you need to adapt to an individual.”

Bump began her coaching career in the Troy School District in 2008. She said she wasn’t sure she wanted to make it her career until she began working in college at RPI in 2010 and then moved on to Siena.

“I loved working with the kids and this was their last chance to play (in college) and I saw a different perspective of what I was doing in high school,’’ she said.

Bump, a former pitcher, is a member of both the Columbia and Ualbany Athletic Halls of Fame. She led the Great Danes to NCAA Tournament appearances from 2005 to 2007.

She lives in Averill Park with her husband Jason, stepdaughter Mckenzie and 5-year-old daughter Maya.