Jacksonville State softball coach Jana McGinnis has stepped down after 31 seasons and 1,038 victories at her alma mater, she announced Monday.

McGinnis, a Spring Garden native, won 18 conference championships and reached the NCAA tournament seven times with the Gamecocks. She is in the Top 30 all-time in Division I softball coaching victories and ranks eighth among those who coached at only one school.

McGinnis announced her decision in a letter to Jax State supporters, saying she wished to retire and devote more time to her family — she and husband Russ have two daughters — after more than three decades in coaching.

“My family has always been the biggest supporters of my career and our program,” McGinnis said. “They have made countless sacrifices that have allowed me to live the dream of building our program into something that everyone affiliated with Jax State could be proud of. The time has come for me to return the favor and devote my time and focus to my family.”

McGinnis was a seven-time conference coach of the year at JSU, where she was a two-time all-conference guard in basketball for the Gamecocks in the early 1990s. Then known as Jana Bright, she starred on the court alongside her twin sister Dana, who was later Jax State’s women’s basketball coach.

The Bright sisters have both had their jerseys retired by the Gamecocks. Jana began her coaching career as a basketball graduate assistant at JSU, then spent two seasons as girls basketball coach at Cherokee County High School — where she won a state championship in 1993 — before taking over the Jax State softball program the following year.

McGinnis recorded her 1,000th career victory last season. The Gamecocks later re-named their softball facility as Jana McGinnis Field.

“Jana’s dedication, passion, and leadership have set a high standard not just for our softball program but for everyone affiliated with Jax State Athletics,” JSU athletics director Greg Seitz said. “While maintaining a culture that many have emulated and making what seemed like unattainable heights a reality as our softball coach, she has been a mentor, a friend, and a true ambassador for our university. We wish her all the best in her retirement.”