Lots of Light Blue in the NCSU Dugout!

Interesting. This makes 3 former UNC players working with Coach Navas. I guess it just goes to show the talent level in the ACC. Coach Navas should be commended for bringing in good coaches regardless of where they played. Bet it will make for some interesting games next spring!


From the NC State web site-

McKinney Joins Wolfpack Softball Staff
Brittany McKinney will join the Pack as a volunteer assistant coach this season.

Sept. 28, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. - Head Coach Lisa Navas announced today the addition of Brittany McKinney to the NC State softball staff as a volunteer assistant. McKinney comes to NC State following her first season competing in the National Pro Fastpitch league as a member of the NPF Diamonds.
"We are very excited to have Brittany as a part of our staff," says Navas. "She had a great summer playing professionally, and will bring a great knowledge of the game and wonderful experience to our program, and I have great confidence that she will be an outstanding college coach."


This summer in the NPF, McKinney posted stellar numbers for the Diamonds, leading the squad in both batting average and RBI as a rookie. In addition, she was one of two members of the team to be named to the NPF all-star squad.

"I am very excited for the opportunity to work with and learn from Coach Navas," says McKinney. "The NC State softball program is a well respected program, not only in the ACC, but in the country. This should be an exciting season for Wolfpack softball and I am very grateful to be a part of it."
Prior to her professional career, McKinney notched a successful college career at North Carolina, starting all four years at catcher and in the DH slot for the Tar Heels. As a sophomore in 2009, she earned second team All-ACC honors after earning a .305 batting average and throwing out 19 of 27 base stealers from behind the plate. That season, she caught current Wolfpack pitching coach Lisa Norris, a 23-game winner in the campaign.

McKinney excelled in the classroom as well, earning a degree in communications and a minor in coaching in the spring of 2011. She was named to the All-ACC Softball Academic Team three times, and earned Dean's List recognition four semesters throughout her career. As a senior McKinney received the prestigious UNC Athletic Director's scholar athlete award.
http://www.gopack.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/092811aaa.html

 

wolfpack?

TarHeels in Wolfpack clothing......... Do like Jordan wear light blue undergarments

 

This is a reflection on Donna P

A very good one. Coach Papa 'does things right'. These 'things' go beyond the W/L column.

 

I agree 100%. Year after year, coach after coach, player after player. I hope UNC appreciates what they have.

 

Raleigh Sat

Went to watch the games Sat in Raleigh. Both team lost to the NPF Team. But oh well playing against pros. Lisa Norris was in top form, Heels just could not touch her. Lisa looks to have picked speed and better ball control performance in the 2 yrs since playing at UNC. .....

As for the UNC and NC state teams. UNC looks to be the better team. But watching State in warm ups. I could see the "UNC" things that I believe Norris and McKinney are bringing to the table. You go to a UNC game and watch them during warm ups and game play and now your see some things that being used at State that are used at UNC. It hard to describe but there are some things.

For all the NC State folks, State did a good thing in these 2 additions.

Just have to see if Norris or McKinney will have that small UNC wrist band or Tar Heel ear ring or 1 light blue sock or something on??????

 

You Go B Mac!!!

Congrats To Brit and the McKinney family. She knows how to win. Great career at UNC. Prior to that, part of the group that won 18u ASA Nationals under Ray Chandler. Before that she was a part of the Pitt County Rockets and John Roberts where they won the Colarodo fireworks in '06. It was always a joy to watch that group of girls who knew how to play the game and have fun while they were at it.

 

I was in Raliegh for the weekend as well. Took 2 of my players up for the clinic Friday night and then we watched the games Saturday. According to my players the girs from UNC were much better at teaching the game. Even my player that both parents graduated from State admitted the UNC girls seemed more into it. I agree UNC appeared the better team Saturday. I have only been watching the Pack play for about 3 years now but we did seem more athletic at least to me. Enjoyed the weekend. Wish the N&O would have covered it though. I did not see anything in there about it Saturday or Sunday. Our game does not get half the attention it deserves. ON that note I had no idea BUCKY DENT's daughter played at State. My friend is a huge Yankees fan and we were standing together. I thought him and his girls would pass out when he was announced and through out the first pitch.

 

Wonder how Brittany felt after hitting that home run against the Heels Saturday? I'm sure the NCSU fans were loving it, but again, it was just an exhibition game.

 

Connection

Navas was an assistant at UNC and has a strong connection to Papa. She is smart to pull in quality former player from NC which will help her in recruiting in state's top talent. I hope NCSU gets back to their earlier years as a force in ACC and National qualifier.