(OTTUMWA, Iowa) – Indian Hills Community College, effective at season’s end, will be searching for a new softball coach with yesterday’s announcement that Laura North will be stepping down at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
After serving one year as an assistant coach, North has piloted the Warrior program for four successful seasons, as her current No. 17-ranked squad heads down the home stretch towards a potential fourth straight Region XI regular season title. With a fourth straight ICCAC post-season title and third straight trip to the National Tournament in the balance over the next few weeks, North cited her struggle with the decision to walk away from the program.
“This decision has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. I love this game, and I love Indian Hills. I am extremely proud of the Warrior softball program, and the progress that we have made during my time here. It has been such a great experience working for an institution that has allowed me to build a successful program with so many resources. I am sad to be leaving, but I’m very excited to see what another coach can do to advance the program further.”
The three-time conference coach of the year noted that family weighed heavily on her decision to step aside.
“This decision is primarily based off the needs of my family. My four sons are at a very impressionable ages, and are extremely busy with their own activities, and I am looking forward to being more present for them. I would like to thank Dr. Marlene Sprouse, and especially Dr. Brett Monaghan for being so supportive through this tough decision, and for the continued support over the past four years. Indian Hills and the athletic department are in great hands and I’m excited for the future of the program.”
North’s IHCC teams have compiled a 143-56 overall record (.718) during her tenure as head coach, including a 51-12 (.810) mark in all games against conference foes. Prior to arriving at Indian Hills, North spent one season as the head coach at Cloud County (KS) where her squad put up a 26-25 record. She has also coached at Holdrege, Nebraska, as well as Logan-Magnolia and Des Moines Lincoln.
“Laura’s impact on young women’s lives, on and off the field, will undoubtedly be missed here,” said IHCC Athletic Director Monaghan in thanking North for her commitment to the college for the last five years. “Her record and list of accomplishments speak for themselves, but it won’t be easy to replace her leadership she has brought to our campus the past several seasons. She’s brought so many terrific young people to our athletic department, and I think everyone recognizes that Laura does things the right way, which ultimately produces outstanding young ladies as they leave our program.”
Monaghan said an immediate search will begin to find North’s replacement at the helm of the Warrior program. The IHCC Athletic Director said he’ll be looking for a coach who, “will carry on the same values our department expects from all of our programs, and continue the success that has taken place on and off the field for the last four seasons.”
