Coach Colleen Powers is a former University of Minnesota outfielder and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Youth Studies. Then earned her Master of Arts in Sport Administration from Central Michigan in 2011. She has guided our Wildcat team to win the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Playoff Championship for the first time in program history! With this win, St. Kate’s earns the MIAC’s automatic bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament, making this the first back-to-back appearances by any team in the national tournament in Katie history.
Read more on how Powers has guided her team to victory and why she loves the sport!
Q: How did you get into softball? And what do you love about it?
Coach Powers: From a young age, my grandpa had season tickets to the St. Louis Cardinal games… so my brother, my parents, and I often sat seven rows up from the plate! Baseball was always a part of my family, and I actually didn’t play fastpitch softball until I was a freshman in highschool- I had played baseball with the boys! What I love about softball is a LONG list, so I’ll keep it short and sweet. From a young age I fell in love with the game because it gave me a chance to compete, taught me how to master and fine tune technical skill, and gave me the opportunity to travel the country with my best friends; most of whom are still in my life today! The logical career choice for me was coaching, and I love that I have the opportunity to give back to the sport that has given me so much. I am forever indebted!
Q: You just won the championship! Congrats! What helped you get this victory?
Coach Powers: All I did was write a lineup, and watch the magic happen! My assistant coaches and I have been so committed to establishing relationships in the recruiting process and opening young athlete’s eye’s to a campus and degree that literally sells itself. St. Kate’s is an amazing institution! It was about the right people who buy into the culture and be proud to BUILD. I give all the credit to my players who know how to commit to being GREAT day in and day out. We have come a very long way since my first recruiting class came in the Fall of 2014!
Q:What is one thing you wish Katie’s knew about the softball team or the sport in general?
Coach Powers: The program has achieved 55 statistical and accolade related accomplishments over the last 3 seasons since the 2014 recruiting class became Wildcats!
Q: What is your favorite pump up song just before a game?
Coach Powers: Sweet Caroline! My players make a fantastic playlist every game day though.
Q: Staying fit physically and mentally are important in every sport. How do you keep fit on and off the field mentally and physically?
Coach Powers: I am an Ironman athlete! So, personally, I attempt to exercise 5-6 times/week. I love to swim, bike, and run! The physical training keeps me mentally sane, to be honest, but I also love to relax and enjoy friends and family. On nice, sunny days you might find me on my scooter too- THAT is what I love to do for fun!
Q: What was your favorite memory of this season?
Coach Powers: So far, my favorite memory has been watching my team proudly hold their first MIAC Championship Trophy over their heads after beating a tough Hamline team!
Q: Give a shout out to anyone!
Coach Powers: I would love to give a huge shout out to our groundskeepers Rollie & Paul, and basketball coach Tim Kjar for making sure our field is ready on practice and game days… especially with the weather lately!
Q: What are you looking forward to next season? And how are you Going to continue the momentum you had this year?
Coach Powers: We are going to keep working with a service called HumanEX who works with teams in all sports to help connect the dots between performance and team chemistry. It has been a fantastic relationship this season, and we are looking forward to having them back!
Q: What can Katie’s do to support the Softball team?
Coach Powers: Come out to the park for our home games! Next season we will have a better seating area for our fans!
Finals are over and now you can relax! Head over to the softball field and support the Wildcat Softball Team at home, May 19th at 4:00pm and May 20th at 1:00pm! On behalf of Her Campus St. Kate’s, thanks Coach Powers for your time and inspiring leadership! And best of luck to you and our Wildcat Softball Team!