Softball 6/25/2019 1:42:00 PM Iain Dexter, EOU Sports Information Director Eastern Oregon Hires Nicole Christian as Head Softball Coach LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon has hired alum and EOU Hall of Famer Nicole Christian as the head softball coach, athletic director Anji Weissenfluh announced Tuesday. "I am incredibly excited to introduce Nicole Christian as the next softball coach at EOU," said Weissenfluh. "Nicole has an unmatched love and passion for not only the game, but for Eastern Oregon University. She is eager to share her deep knowledge of the game to help the softball program reach new heights. Nicole's vision and core values as a coach are in line with the expectations of the athletic department and the University." Christian joins EOU with nearly 20 years of coaching experience after graduating as a Mountaineer in 2000. She has coached at McLoughlin High School in Milton-Freewater since 2008, leading the Pioneers to nine-straight state tournament appearances, two state titles (2014, 2015) while earning 4A Coach of the Year honors during both those seasons. "I'm extremely excited to be returning to La Grande and Eastern Oregon University," said Christian. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Anji Weissenfluh, and the search committee for selecting me to lead the softball program into the future. I embrace the challenge of competing in one of the top conferences in the country, and am looking forward to working with student-athletes while building relationships that will last long past their playing days. I love the community support of Mountie Athletics, and I am looking forward to getting on campus and getting to work." During her playing days at EOU from 1996-2000, Christian was one of the best players in program history. She was inducted into the EOU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013, earning All-American honors twice (1999, 2000) and CCC Player of the Year in 1999. She ranks top-10 in numerous categories in the program record book, including No. 1 in career hits (200), runs batted in (137), total bases (321) and walks (83). In 2000, Christian enjoyed one of the best single seasons in EOU history, hitting .492 with 62 hits, 13 doubles and 50 runs batted in. "As a former All-American shortstop for the Mounties, Nicole is excited to return to La Grande and hopes to use her experience to help engage the community and EOU alumni," said Weissenfluh. Prior to her time at McLoughlin, Christian was the head softball coach at Umatilla High School from 2005-08, the head coach at Blue Mountain Community College from 2003-05 and at La Grande High School from 2000-03. She is the sixth head EOU softball coach in program history. Christian will look to bring Mountaineer softball back to another winning season, just one year removed from a trip to the NAIA Championships in 2018. For more information on Eastern Oregon softball, follow @EOUAthletics on all social media or visit eousports.com. FOLLOW EOU ATHLETICS Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu