About Softball at Holyoke Community College

The softball program at Holyoke has a long tradition that goes to the 1968. The team was first coached by English Professor Marge Eipper. Marge, brought experience from Smith College to the Lady Cougars and continued for three seasons. The team played local JV teams form throughout the area. Starting in 1972, Chicopee's Mary Hill took the reins of the team for the next two seasons as the team competed in State and Regional competition. In 1974, JoAnne Devine from South Hadley became the head coach and continued for the next 14 seasons. The team continued expand its schedule and competed in numerous post season tournaments. In 1984, the Cougars finished 2nd in the NJCAA New England Championships. From 1987-1990, former HCC player Donna Rouillard coached the team. In 1991, 1992, and 1993 the team was coached by Rick Golas, Nancy Spencer, and Steve Duffany respectively. In 1994, Nancy returned to lead the team until 1998. The 1998 team won the New England Championship and competed the NorthEast District Championships. In 2001, Ed Meyer coached the team for a rebuilding season that led to three consecutive New England Championships and participation in the NorthEast Districts play-offs. First, in 2002, Kelly Walsh coached the Cougars to the New England Championship and a NorthEast District playoff. This was repeated in 2003 and 2004 with Nancy LeBlanc at the helm.
In these 35 seasons, hundreds of HCC students have represented the College on the field of competition in an outstanding manor. The current head coach is Karl Kapinos who is in his second season. The team's regular season schedule features teams from New England and the Northeast. The team plays on the HCC Campus Field. Preseason training takes place in the Bartley Center with indoor hitting, conditioning, and practices.