Relationship between NPF and College Coaching
We at Fastpitch News have been following some of your favorite Pro Players throughout the off-season months. By doing so, we have discovered a trend in career paths. There is a correlation between National Pro Fastpitch Players and being College Coaches. The timing works out perfectly. The NPF season takes place from June-August. The college season begins in September and runs through May, depending on how deep teams get into post-season play.
It’s not uncommon for NPF players to be college coaches. Not only does the timing work out, but Pro players are the best athletes in the game, and compete at the highest level so they are bound to know a thing or two. It’s also not uncommon for NPF players to acquire a GA or volunteer coaching position at a University or college institution after their rookie season in the NPF. You can never really get enough softball, can you?
Being a college softball coach or GA in the NPF off-season months has its benefits. For starters, the NPF athletes are able to stay around the game of softball. It can become very quiet in the off-season for players who spend eight months away from a softball field. These athletes are also able to take advantage of University resources, such as their weight room and training facilities. Pro Athletes are responsible for staying in playing shape during the off-season. Pro pitchers who are coaches or GA’s will throw live BP and at bats to their teams which helps keep them in game pitching shape. This gives the Pro pitchers a huge advantage in the off-season months over others who work other jobs that are non-softball related.
NPF players make fantastic candidates for college coaching and grad assistant positions. They fit the mold, they have played the game as players in college and at the highest level which gives them the ability to relate to their athletes. Below is a list of several NPF players past and present who serve the role of a college coach, grad assistant, or volunteer assistant during the Pro off-season months.
Akron Racers
Ashley Thomas – Belmont
Jennifer Gilbert – Ball State
Emily Weiman – NC State
Rachele Fico – Georgia
Chicago Bandits
Shelby Turnier – North Florida
Lacey Waldrop – Oklahoma
Natalie Hernandez – Transylvania University
Sammy Marshall – Saint Leo University
Michelle Gascoigne – Northwestern University
Scrap Yard Dawgs
Alisa Goler – Syracuse University
Miranda Kramer – Syracuse University
Cheridan Hawkins – UC Riverside
Kiki Stokes – Nebraska
Texas Charge
Kaitlyn Richardson – Arizona State
Renada Davis – South Carolina
Kristyn Sandberg – Syracuse University
Dallas Escobedo – Arizona State
USSSA Pride
Kelly Kretschman – Texas State
Jordan Taylor – Loyola University Chicago
Cat Osterman – Texas State