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Softball: Coaches

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Head Coach Van Hedrick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach Hedrick at the 2009 NJCAA National Tournament

Hedrick's Record at NCTC

447-229

(11 seasons)

Van Hedrick has been the only head coach the Lady Lions softball program has had in its 11 year-existance.

Having been in on the establishment of women's fastpitch softball at NCTC from its earliest planning stages, he has worked tirelessly to develop the program, recruit players, and even do extensive work on the Lady Lions' beautiful stadium.

Hedrick has led the Lady Lions to two conference championships and one regional championship. The 2009 Lady Lions advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament in St. George, Utah.

Formerly the assistant to NCTC head baseball coach Kevin Darwin, Coach Hedrick has proven his ability to lead and inspire student athletes.

While attending Iowa Park High School, where he graduated in 1985, Van Hedrick was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball and baseball, and he earned All-District honors in all three sports. His pursuit of excellence on the playing field is no different in his work as the Lady Lions' first coach than it was in his playing days.


Coach Hedrick attended Vernon Regional Junior College from 1986-1988, playing shortstop and serving as a team tri-captain. After earning his Associate degree there, Hedrick attended Tarleton State University from 1988 to 1990. At Tarleton, he moved to the outfield and was used as a relief pitcher. An arm injury sidelined him for most of his junior season. During Hedrick's senior year at Tarleton, however, he was named "Comeback Player of the Year."

In 1990, Coach Hedrick earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Physical Education. After a year of assistant coaching at Hill College, he returned to Tarleton State and was a graduate assistant coach for two years while completing his Master of Education degree in 1992.

Robyn, Coach Hedrick's wife, taught high school Home Economics in Fort Worth, TX. After moving to Gainesville Robyn taught at Valley View Middle School in Cooke County. She also holds a master's degree in Early Childhood Development. Van and Robyn are the proud parents of Ashley (9), Allison (6) and Autumn (3).
Assistant Coach Taylor Christian

Coach Christian coaching

first base

Taylor Christian is in her fourth year as the Assistant Coach for North Central.  In her previous 3 years, she has assisted Coach Hedrick in three forty plus winning seasons with a record of 130-53.  Together along with the girls they have recruited, they have claimed a Conference Championship, Regional Championship and a first ever trip to the National Tournament for the Lady Lions.

                Coach Christian works primarily with outfield, catchers and hitters but assists in every area with Coach Hedrick from pitchers and catchers to infield and outfield as well as hitting.  The two then strive to keep the beautiful stadium in tip top shape.  Taylor also does the weight training with the girls during off season and takes pride in getting the girls in shape for spring season. 

                A graduate of NCTC with an Associate of Science degree and later a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Christian played her way through college on scholarships to both schools.  She was a 4 year utility starter at the collegiate level for the Lady Lions here at NCTC and the Rangers of Northwestern where she played 2nd, Catcher, 3rd and outfield.

                In her two and half years at Northwestern she was the Grad Assistant at the University Wellness center.  She assisted the manager in her duties from opening and closing the center, keeping the weights picked up and looking sharp to life guarding in the pool and running the front desk.  There she also organized fitness and lifestyle activities for the community as well as the university.

                At North Central, Taylor is also a Physical Education Instructor where she teaches Aerobics, Weight Training, and online PE Courses.  Coach Christian is currently in pursuit of a dual Master of Sports Science degree in Coaching and Sports Medicine through the United States Sports Academy.
   
Assistant Coach Darin Allred

Coach D (right) with Dick Vitale at an ESPN reception in Tampa, Florida

Coach D is in his second year as Assistant Coach with the Lady Lions, although he has been around the program for eight of its 11 years. He works primarily with infielders, pitchers and catchers. He also produces the media guide and helps update the athletic website.

A graduate of Texas Tech University, Darin coached softball with North Texas Storm 16U and 18U and North Texas X-Press. The 16U Storm team qualified for ASA Nationals, while the 18U Storm team qualified for AFA Nationals. He has also scouted at tournaments around North America including the Colorado Fireworks and Colorado Sparkler Tournaments and the prestigious Canada Cup in Surrey, British Columbia.

Darin was the Sports Information Director at South Plains College from 2005-08. During that time, SPC won NJCAA National Championships in men's basketball, men's outdoor track, men's indoor track, women's cross country and men's half marathon.

He is currently the sports editor of the Gainesville Daily Register newspaper.