By Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Candace Davis, a science teacher at Belle Heth Elementary, has been named the new head coach of the Radford High School softball team.
“In January, I was told that the softball team didn’t have a coach and that it didn’t look like there was much interest from the high school athletes to play,” Davis said. “As a former RHS softball player, a mom to a little girl and a teacher in the school system, I know or maybe just hoped that girls wanted to play softball. I was hopeful they would be interested in playing for me if I was hired,” Davis said.
She is no stranger to the Bobcat softball program, having played first base for four years. She also played volleyball and basketball at the school.
Right out of high school, Davis helped with the Bobcat jayvee softball team while attending Radford University. During that time, she also helped coach middle school volleyball and basketball. For the past three years, she has taught sixth grade science.
“It has been really fun and exciting since getting the softball job to see the sixth graders that play softball and are excited to play for me in the future,” Davis said.
The new coach hopes to build a program in Radford in which girls are growing up excited to play softball.
“Of course, I want to win softball games, but I also want to enjoy our time together and bring out these girls’ passion for the game,” she said.
“I just want to work to build the program. I want girls to be excited to play softball at Radford High School. One way I am making steps to do that is by having a youth softball clinic.”
The new Radford coach is having a clinic on March 28 for $20. Every girl will get lunch and a T-shirt. They will work with varsity athletes with the goal of growing their skills and building their passion for the game.
—