North Central University Athletics

Matt Haefner is entering his 3rd year as head softball coach for the 2025 season. 

Originally from Mankato, Minnesota, Matt played football, hockey and baseball at Mankato Loyola High School then attended MSU Mankato on a baseball scholarship. Matt Played 4 years, earned All NCC honors and was named senior captain. After college, Matt played 12 years of men’s fastpitch softball, winning the National Championship in 1995, named 1st team All- American and was voted the National Tournament MVP. Matt also participated in the Olympic Sports Festival and won a bronze medal. 

Matt is a former high school coach at Prior Lake, earning Section 2 coach of the year in 2013 and compiling a record of 127 – 45 in his 7 seasons as head coach. He coached numerous kids to go on and play college softball at the Division I, Division II and Division III levels.  

Currently Matt owns the MN Waves, one of the top Club programs in the Midwest and coaches the 16U team that set numerous Waves records in the summer of 2022, including most wins, most tournament wins and an overall record of 68-20-4 in 2022. Matt is also a professional hitting instructor for both baseball and softball players of all ages.