Olivia Berry Named Emmanuel Head Softball Coach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of EC Athletics Communications

BOSTON, Mass. – Following a national search, the Emmanuel College Athletic Department is pleased to announce the hire of Olivia Berry as the Head Softball Coach.  Berry becomes the 13th head coach since the program began competitive play at the NCAA level in 1993 and takes over the role from Kelsea Cheney who stepped down earlier this summer after serving in the position for the 2017 season.

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.

Berry brings a strong softball pedigree to Emmanuel as both a coach and a former student-athlete.  Most recently, Berry was an Assistant Softball Coach for two seasons at Wesleyan University where she helped lead the Cardinals to a total of 33 wins over two years. Prior to her coaching stint at Wesleyan, Berry began her collegiate coaching career at Emmanuel as an Assistant Coach during the 2015 season in which the Saints won a then program-record 20 games and advanced to the GNAC Semifinals for the first time in 12 years.

"I'm excited to return to Emmanuel and grateful for the opportunity," said Berry. "The program has made great strides over the past five years and I'm looking forward to building off of that foundation." 

As a collegiate player, Berry played at Division III Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut from 2011 through 2014.  She split time as a catcher and designated player and over her career played in a total of 106 games including a career-high of 32 contests her sophomore season.

Berry was named a tri-captain her senior season and over her career helped the Bantams post a total of 67 wins including 22 her rookie campaign in which she helped the team advance to the NESCAC Championship game against nationally ranked Tufts University. Berry finished her collegiate career with 67 hits including 15 extra base hits, 44 RBI, a .382 On-Base Percentage to go along with a .355 Slugging Percentage. She ended her career with 49 walks to rank second all-time in program history for bases on balls.

She was named to the NESCAC All-Sportsmanship Team in 2014 and was also a part of the NESCAC Women's Coaching Symposium.

While at Trinity, Berry was active on campus working in the College's career-services office. She was involved in the Temple of Hip Hop and the Big Sister/Little Sister program while also serving as the Treasurer for Trinity's Men of Color Alliance.

"The Emmanuel Athletic Department is excited to welcome Coach Berry back to 400 The Fenway," said Mastronardi. "Olivia continues to be a great fit for the program and we're thrilled she's returning to Emmanuel after gaining more professional and coaching experience at a great program like Wesleyan."

Berry and the Saints open the 2018 season next spring and will look to make a run at the program's first GNAC championship.