Carrie Calderon, Head Softball Coach
Congratulations to Coach Carrie Calderon - 600 Career Wins
Carrie’s first year as the women’s softball coach was in 1994. She was an assistant coach for two years before taking over the reins of head softball coach. Carrie is a graduate of United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois. After high school, she attended Illinois Central College, and then transferred to St. Ambrose University competing in softball at both institutions.
Team Achievements
This will be Carrie’s 19th season, during her past season she achieved her 600th career win. She is the 12th active NJCAA softball coach in Division II softball to earn this. Her career record is 636 wins and 201 losses. Her spring 2011 team ended the season with a record of 23 wins and 17 losses. Carrie’s softball teams have won the Arrowhead Conference 15 of 17 seasons: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Her team has also competed in 17 Region IV Final Four Tournaments, and has won 7 Region IV Final Four tournaments to advance to 7 National (NJCAA) tournaments and placed 4th in the nation, the best in Black Hawk College history. Carrie has earned Coach of The Year in Region IV District 4 A (B) seven times: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010. She was inducted into the NJCAA Region IV 2007 Hall of Fame as a softball coach.
Player Achievements
Melissa Markin ’95, Calla Brokaw ’97, Jessica Gibbs ’98, Denise Smutzer ’98, Sara Ebner ’00, Ashley Stover ’04, Amanda Hamerlink ’06, Sara Brokaw ’06, Jamie Mullarkey ’07, Erika Ensminger, Megan Reisenbigler, and Jessica Starkweather ’08, Michelle Richards, ’09, Hannah Frennell, Sarah Frenell, Samantha Fleming, and Jill Gibbs ’10 have all earned NJCAA Athletic All- Academic American honors in softball.
Team Advisor
Carrie has been her team’s academic advisor for 18 years. She emphasizes academics as the program’s first priority and it has shown by her team’s earning 13 consecutive President’s Academic Awards and by having the highest team GPA of all sports at Black Hawk College. Her 2011 team earned a combined GPA of 3.10.
NJCAA All-American Athletes
Ronnie Thornton ’96, Jennifer Ochs ’01, Alexis Pikuza ’03, Alexis Johnson ’03, Noelle Schriefer ’04, Kelsey Dykema ’05, Sara Brokaw ’05, Casey Coon ’06 & ’07, Carolyn Rogers ’08, Anna Copeland ’09 and Alissa Rohm ’09 & ’10.
Goals
In order to achieve our team and individual goals we have to develop a sense of maturity and respect among our team mates. We need to make every effort to be there when other teammates are in need, like a family. We need for everyone wanting to fulfill the commitment of hard work in the classroom, as well as on the field. If we can focus on the little things and continue to keep our traditions we will have a successful season and program. Our competition is always getting better and we need to rise to the occasion to improve our skills and our performance in the way we practice, play, attitude, drive, and passion to stay ahead of our competition.
Coach Calderon is also assisted by Assistant Coach Stacy Willet.
Stacy Willet is entering her first season as an assistant coach for the Black Hawk College softball program. She works primarly with pitchers and catchers.
Willet played for the Braves during the 2003-2005 seasons and graduated with a Associate of Arts degree. While at BHC, Willet participated in the NJCAA National Tournament both years, earned two Arrowhead Conference Titles, All-Region IV honors and Arrowhead Conference honors.
After she left Black Hawk College, she transferred to Western Illinois University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Willet is employed at Arrowhead Ranch.
