Courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University has named Colleen Bannister as the new head women's softball coach.
 
Bannister comes to Westfield with a resume that includes experience as a Division I collegiate player, and several stints coaching an umpiring in Western Massachusetts.
 
"I'm looking forward to bringing my hard-nosed brand of ball, my competitive nature and sportsmanship to Westfield State," said Bannister. "We will play hard today to get better for tomorrow, and I can't wait to do it here."
 
She has 10 years of experience as a high school coach, with her team reaching the Western or Central Mass tournament in seven of those 10 seasons. Most recently, Bannister served as head coach at Athol High School, where she guided the Raiders to 13-6 regular season record before falling in the Western Mass semifinals to Monson.
 
Bannister has a coaching record of 41-23 over the past three years at Athol. She had previous coaching stints at Pioneer and Athol, and her teams won Western Mass titles in 1997, '98 and '99.
 
"It's supremely important to me that our best game beats our opponent's best game, and that you do it fairly," said Bannister. "I think you compliment players when they do something well, and you even compliment umpires when they make a good call. It's not always easy to do, but we will do our best to do it every day."
 
"We're pleased to welcome Colleen to Westfield State", said Dick Lenfest, Director of Athletics. "She has an excellent softball pedigree with a playing career at Bucknell University, and significant coaching and umpiring experience as well. Our student-athletes will appreciate the enthusiasm and energy she will bring to practice every day."
 
Bannister was a second-team all-Patriot League player and a District L honorable mention All-American in 1995.
 
"I consider myself a catcher as a player, but I played second, first and designated player as well in college, anywhere my coach wanted so I could get a chance to hit," said Bannister.
 
She participated in the Olympic softball trials and later toured Latin America with Athletes in Action's national team in 1994.
 
Bannister hit .675 in her high-school softball career at Stoneleigh-Burnham School and was a two-time MVP of the New England Private School Association where her team also captured a NEPSAC title.
 
At Westfield State, Bannister takes over a program that posted an 11-19 overall record and a 7-7 mark in the Little East Conference. The Owls expect to return a solid nucleus of talent that includes all-conference third baseman Maddy Atkocaitis and center fielder Emma Dunbar, as well as pitcher Julia Sullivan.
 
Bannister holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University in education and psychology, and a Master of Science degree from Syracuse University in counselor education. She is pursuing her CAGS in educational leadership and management at Fitchburg State.
 
In addition to coaching softball, Colleen has also coached field hockey and basketball at the high school level, and has sent multiple players to the collegiate ranks, including four players from her Athol team who plan to play collegiately. Bannister is also a certified umpire for ASA, PONY, and National Federation Tournaments.
 
"We are thrilled to have hired Colleen Bannister," said Associate Athletics Director and SWA Nancy Bals," who chaired the search committee. "Her experience and enthusiasm will benefit our program."