2020 brought the Greenville University Softball Team a new head coach, Angela Sheets. The year has also brought GU Softball a new graduate assistant (GA): Becca Oldham.
Coach Oldham is an alum of Greenville University. She started her softball career at GU as a pitcher/utility player in 2013. She played from 2013 to 2018 but decided to take the 2016 season off. She was a part of the two teams that won the conference and went on to regionals in 2017 and 2018. Her career as a Lady Panther was recognized recently when she was awarded a spot on the 2010-2019 SLIAC All-Decade Softball Team. Oldham graduated with majors in history, political science, and English. She is now pursuing her master’s degree in coaching at Greenville.
While attending school at Greenville University, Oldham coached a summer travel ball team for five and a half years. Upon graduation, she coached at the junior high and high school levels. She coached at Mulberry Grove Jr./Sr. High school as an assistant coach for two years. She was able to coach both softball and basketball.
Oldham played with Amy Sheets, Coach Sheets’ sister, so Oldham had a previous connection to Coach Sheets. Coach Oldham received a text informing her about the job opening and asking her to apply. Due to COVID-19, the application process was unusual. She had an over-the-phone interview with Coach Sheets and a few others in the athletic department. Later, Coach Sheets invited her to a dinner where she announced that Oldham got the position as the graduate assistant.
GU Softball’s new GA brings a style of coaching to the program that derives from the styles of some of her former coaches. Oldham coaches interactively. “I think, overall, I am the type of coach that wants to work with my athletes in a way where they feel involved in the process. I want their voices to be heard,” commented Oldham. She is a technical coach; she breaks things down into small details to ensure correctness. Not only does she do this to ensure things are done correctly, but also to prevent her players from getting injured.
Oldham stated, “An awesome thing for me to see is growth in my players. My last year was back in 2018, and I played with three of the now seniors. They were freshmen, and they were great players with amazing attitudes then. I couldn’t imagine having a different freshman class back then. Now, I get to see them grow into leaders as seniors, which makes it come full circle. Over the past fall season, the whole team collectively grew strong in the mental aspect as well as in skill. Seeing that change is so fulfilling as a coach in order to know that you are pushing towards accomplishing your goals.”
As an alum, Oldham has many hopes for the GU Softball Program. She wants to see it built up to the glory that it can be and to see the team’s numbers grow. She would also like to see the team win the conference championship and go far in the national tournament. She hopes the team builds towards taking the next step, winning some regional games, potentially winning regionals, and moving forward in the NCAA Division Three Tournament.
Overall, Oldham has a lot to offer the program. Her experience, knowledge, and support will only benefit the team this upcoming season.
“Coach Becca brings out the best in the entire team. She utilizes her knowledge of and passion for the game to help make us better every single day. She is also incredibly supportive and ensures we are doing our best both on the field and inside the classroom. As an alum, our team is blessed to have her spirit back into the game.”
-Senior Hayley Jenkins
