COACHES CORNER: HEAD SOFTBALL COACH CASSIE HARRELL
We sat down with PCC Head Softball Coach Cassie Harrell to get her thoughts on a number of topics. Check out her answers below!
1. Following an extremely successful season that was cut short due to Covid-19, what are your expectations for this year's team?
Ending last season with a 10-1 overall record and 4-0 in conference play was tough for myself and my student-athletes. It was a great year that unfortunately quickly came to an end. However, this year's team is full of motivated and hard working young ladies that all have a common goal to have an extremely successful season as well. While we all have the same goal to be successful, safety on and off the field is the highest expectation I have for myself and the team to maintain during this pandemic. We all are currently and will continue to take all necessary precautions and follow the mandated changes. I intend all my girls will not only meet my expectations but exceed them.
2. How are your players responding to the mandated procedural changes in response to the pandemic?
My players have responded very well to the mandated procedural changes in response to the pandemic. Although this pandemic has brought many challenges and emotions, I feel that each individual player is just thankful to be able to safely be apart of a team and participate in a sport they love. While having all online courses, my student-athletes have been successful at adapting in managing their time for their studies and softball. They have learned to effectively balance out their daily schedules to be the best they can be on and off the field.
3. What returning players are you expecting to lead this year's team?
Abbi Carpenter, Alexis Phillips, and Summer Campbell are just three of the notable returners. These three young ladies not only led the team in offense by hitting above .450 last year but each one of them brings outstanding leadership attributes in their own unique way. We have seven total returners and each one of those student-athletes saw a tremendous amount of playing time which helped us work towards our overall 10-1 record.
4. What challenges do you face as a head coach during these unprecedented times in college athletics?
As a head coach, there has been many challenges during these unprecedented times trying to fixate a functioning schedule that kept myself and the team's health and safety first by breaking the girls up into pods and maintaining a social distance. Honestly, I was very nervous in the beginning on how I would be able to incorporate the mandated procedures and effectively coach at the same time. However, I adapted well and very fast. I knew I would do whatever it took to keep the safety of my girls at my highest priority while also being able to practice my beloved profession as a coach. I feel as if most challenges have been resolved and we are all responding well. I believe this pandemic can be everchanging and I feel more prepared if such occurs. We are all in this together and will do what is necessary to stay safe and do what we love.
5. Most coaches have had a great coach that helped them along the way and molded them into the coach they are today. Who was one of your coaches during your career that inspired you to become a coach yourself?
As an alumni of PCC, former Head Coach Junior Bailey has and continues to be my biggest inspiration. As a player at PCC, Coach Bailey was a prime example of the coach I always wanted to become. Not only did he teach me the game of softball, he also demonstrated great compassion for each one of his student-athletes. From the moment I stepped on the field at PCC, and felt the impact that a great mentor can have on a young student-athlete, I was inspired to become a coach and to lead my student-athletes the same way on and off the field. Coach Bailey molded me into who I am today and I will forever be thankful for that. I can only aspire and attempt to be the great person and coach he was to me and still is to his current student-athletes today.