EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University athletic department announced on Monday that Julie Strand has been hired as the second head coach in the history of the Beacon softball program. A former NCAA Division I head coach, Strand brings a high standard to the position.
In 2011, Strand worked as a volunteer assistant with a University of Oregon team that took third in the Pac-10, won a regional championship and advanced to the Super-Regional.
Strand joined the Ducks after she served the previous two seasons as the head coach at NCAA Division I Southern Utah University (2009-2010) and four seasons as the top assistant (2005-08). In that stretch she helped the Thunderbirds advance twice to the NCAA Tournament (2006-07) after three Mid-Con Conference tournament championships and a pair of regular season league titles.
Athletic Director Corey Anderson said, “We are very excited to announce the hiring of new NCU Head Softball Coach Julie Strand. Julie brings a wealth of knowledge, energy and experience to the field and to the NCU Athletic Department. Julie’s coaching background in NCAA DI, high school and summer ball will serve her well as the leader of the Beacon Softball program.
“While Julie’s experience is impressive, her dedication to academic excellence and discipline are key areas that have flourished under her leadership in the past. Julie has dedicated her life to the sport of softball. As a player, coach, clinician and instructor, Julie has set herself up for success on her path of experience through her energy and commitment to hard work.”
Strand has been coaching softball at all levels for over ten years including a stint as the Head Coach at NCAA D.II University of Southern Colorado. She has been an active member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) since 2003 and currently works as a private instructor and works extensively with the Northwest Bullets 14a Summer travel team.
Strand said, “I’m extremely excited to lead the softball program in a championship level both on and off the softball field in a Christ centered atmosphere. I am passionate about developing young women to be outstanding students, athletes, citizens, and positive contributors in their community - and I consider Northwest Christian University and Eugene one of the best environments to teach honor, courage, and commitment. The final 'cherry on the top' is that it allows me to stay close to my family who mean a great deal to me. Simply said, God has been good to me."
Strand brings to the table an aggressive coaching style. At the plate her first season at the helm, Southern Utah ranked seventh in the nation in triples and also stood in the NCAA Top-100 in doubles, home runs, slugging percentage, and scoring.
After graduating from Churchill High School in Eugene, Coach Strand spent her playing days at Colorado State University-Pueblo where she earned numerous honors including being twice named first-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Her senior season she was named the Female Athlete of the Year when she set RMAC records for doubles and total bases in a season. To this day she holds the CSUP records for games played and career at-bats.
She graduated from CSUP with a degree Biology and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Texas Woman’s University.
The NCU softball team is coming off a seventh place finish in the Cascade Collegiate Conference in 2012. The Beacons were 4-20 in the CCC and 8-35 overall.