Millikin’s athletics department has been reinventing itself in the past couple of years to be as competitive and supportive of Big Blue athletes as possible, including changes in the coaching staff.

The women’s softball team is following suit with the appointment of the new head coach, Katie Tenboer. Tenboer is coming from her own successful career at a fellow NCAA Division III school, Central College, and experience coaching travel teams and high school before taking on the role of helping Millikin’s players to excel both on and off of the field.

When asked, she dropped everything she was doing and made time to talk about her inspiration, perspective and expectations towards coaching.

Tenboer always knew she wanted to be involved in educating athletes.

“I realized I wanted to impact young people,” she said. “I like using the game of softball to teach life lessons.

“My father coached and he was always my biggest inspiration. I knew I wanted to be able to help instill confidence, commitment and work ethic in young people.”

Tenboer said one of her biggest hopes for the team this coming season is to learn how to communicate better and display leadership with one another more effectively.

“Respecting each other goes a long way in being a team,” she said. “I want all the players to realize whether they are a freshman or a senior that they all have a role and should value each other’s input.”

Tenboer is filled with enthusiasm and wants the same from her team.

“Number one thing is that they must have love for the game,” she said. “Number two is that they want to have fun. Number three is that they are dedicated to the team and being the best they can be.”

She followed with a quote from famous basketball coach John Wooden, “Competitive greatness is being able to perform at your best when it’s required. Your best is required every day.”

She adds, “All of the girls that have walked into my office have shown a great hunger to improve and work hard.”

Last year, the team respectfully finished just under the qualifying mark to move on with placing fifth out of the nine conference teams. This year, the goal is being in the top four and be able to play post season.

One of her sophomores, Alyssa Voegele, compliments Tenboer’s vision for the team.

“My goals in regard for this season are to definitely make the conference tournament,” Voegele said. “I also would like to become a closer team. I’m very excited about the new coach. She seems very energetic about the upcoming season, and so am I.”