Kelsea Cheney Named Emmanuel Softball Head Coach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of Emmanuel Athletics Communications

BOSTON, Mass. – Following a national search, the Emmanuel College Athletic Department is pleased to announce the hire of Kelsea Cheney as the Head Softball Coach.  Cheney becomes the 12th head coach since the program began competitive play at the NCAA level in 1993 and takes over the role from Rob Spofford who stepped down earlier this year after serving in the position for four seasons.

Emmanuel College Director of Athletics and Recreation Alexis Mastronardi would like to thank all of those who participated in the interview process, sincerely thanking all those for their time during the on-campus interviews.

Cheney brings a strong softball pedigree to Emmanuel as both a coach and a former student-athlete.  Most recently, Cheney was an Assistant Softball Coach for three seasons at Southern New Hampshire University where she helped lead the Penmen to back-to-back Northeast-10 Division and Conference Championships in 2014 & 2015. All three squads made NCAA tournament appearances including a Regional Semifinals stop in 2014 and a ticket to the NCAA Super Regional in 2015 & 2016.

"I'm very eager to begin working with this group of players," said Cheney. "Last year's team had the program's best season yet, so the returners have a taste of what it's like to win. My goal is to help them continue along this path and take the program even further." 

As a collegiate player, Cheney was a four-year member and two-time team captain at Southern New Hampshire University.  She earned NE-10 All-Conference honors three years in a row as a second basemen and graduated as one of the most decorated players in program history. Cheney currently ranks second all-time at SNHU in career-hits (177), RBI (89), doubles (33), third in home runs (22) and games played (175), fourth in runs scored (78), and ninth in career batting average (.331).

While at SNHU, Cheney was active on campus representing the softball team in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and volunteered her time working local softball clinics for the Mass Drifter's and local youth programs through SNHU. She was also a member of the Dean's List and President's List at Southern New Hampshire University.

"The Emmanuel Athletic Department is excited to welcome Coach Cheney to the Saints family," said Mastronardi. "Her passion for softball combined with her playing and coaching background make her the ideal candidate for our program."

Cheney and the Saints open the 2017 season next spring and will look to make a run at the program's first GNAC championship.