BEVERLY, Mass. – Katie Bettencourt has been named head coach of the Endicott College softball program. It was announced by Endicott Director of Athletics Dr. Brian Wylie earlier today. Bettencourt, who becomes the third head coach in program history, joins the Endicott staff after previously serving two seasons as head coach at NCAA Division II Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts.
"I cannot thank Assumption College Director of Athletics Nick Smith, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Peter Gardula, and the rest of the athletic department enough for the opportunity they gave me in my first head coaching experience," said Bettencourt. "I look forward to bringing the knowledge I have gained through my experiences at Assumption with me to Endicott."
In her two years at the helm of the Assumption softball program, Bettencourt led the Hounds to a 38-39 overall record including a 30-19 (.612) mark in Northeast-10 (NE10) conference action. Her team hosted home NE10 Tournament First Round contests both seasons and in 2016 the squad advanced to the second round of the NE10 Tournament.
Bettencourt also coached four all-conference selections, including a trio of two-time honorees, as well as one CCA All-Region selection. Academically, her squad maintained a 3.2 cumulative grade point average (GPA) this past season.
"I am extremely pleased to announce that Coach Katie Bettencourt will be taking over as our head coach for the Endicott softball program. Through this process, Coach Bettencourt overwhelmingly demonstrated her relentless desire and passion not just for the game of softball, but for the overall development of young women," stated Wylie. "As a college student-athlete, she earned the distinction of being named a three-time NCAA Division I captain and extended that leadership in her previous stints as a very successful head coach and assistant coach. With Coach Bettencourt joining the Endicott team, I know our program will be extremely well prepared and will compete with an overarching mindset of winning. I also know that her mindset will complement the department's approach to overall excellence."
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
"My first impression of Endicott was how beautiful the campus was and how tight-knit of a community there is," said Bettencourt. "Endicott is on the rise, and I look forward to recruiting student-athletes who can thrive in its prominent academic offerings, and also its historic internship model that values experiential learning. Along with that, I look forward to meeting and getting to know everyone on campus."
ADDING TO A LEGACY
"It is a privilege to have been selected out of a group of talented coaches that applied for this position. Endicott is truly a special place and I am extremely lucky to now be a part of it," said Bettencourt. "I am very excited to embrace this opportunity and follow in the footsteps of a great coach in Mark Veilleux. Coach Veilleux built a winning tradition at Endicott that I look forward to continuing. I also look forward to working with passionate and talented student-athletes."
NEED TO KNOW
Bettencourt arrived at Assumption after serving as an assistant coach at nearby WPI for two seasons (2014-15). While at WPI, she worked primarily with outfielders, along with aiding in hitting and assisting with day-to-day operations, recruiting, and designing the program's summer camp itinerary.
A graduate of the University of Massachusetts (NCAA Division I), Bettencourt played under Hall of Fame coach Elaine Sortino as she started in right field for much of her career. A two-time Atlantic 10 First Team selection and one-time Second Team honoree, Bettencourt was honored as the 2010 Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year. She was also a three-year team captain from 2011-2013 for the powerhouse Minutewomen, helping the team to 127 wins and two NCAA Regional appearances over her career. Bettencourt was a member of the UMass Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) from 2008-2013, serving as an Executive Board member during that time.
She was also named as the 2013 UMass Female Spring Scholar-Athlete, a 2010 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Northeast Region First Team selection and a 2010 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) First Team All-Star.
Academically at UMass, Bettencourt graduated with a double major in psychology and sociology with a minor in education. She was a member of the Dean's List in Fall 2011 and was an Academic All-Conference selection in 2012. Bettencourt also earned her Master's degree in sport management and athletic administration from Southern New Hampshire University in February 2015.
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(Photo Credit - Assumption Athletics)
