Catching up with Pace's new head softball coach

PACE— The Pace Patriots have a new head softball coach after the recent resignation of Greg Rice. 

Lauren Register, a University of West Florida graduate, will take on the responsibility of head coach for the team next school year. She has been an assistant coach for the Patriots for the past two years, as well as an assistant volleyball coach at Pace for a year. 

Here, we catch up with Lauren about her career and accomplishments. 

What is your educational background? 

I attended Vernon High School and graduated in 2011. I have a bachelor’s degree in physical education/teacher education from the University of West Florida. I am currently working on my master's in physical education at UWF as well. 

How long have you played softball? 

I have played softball since I was 8 years old. So about 15 years once my career ended. 

What made you want to be a coach? 

I wanted to become a coach since I was a little girl. My love for athletics is a major factor of why I decided to become a coach. I want to make a difference in my players’ lives as my coaches did for me.  Both of my parents were high school coaches. My mother was a three-sport coach: volleyball, softball and tennis. My father coached basketball for many years. My life has always been surrounded by athletics and coaching. The love my parents had for their players and sport is what inspired me the most. 

What is your favorite thing about coaching? 

My favorite thing about coaching is building relationships and watching my players grow into successful young women through sport. Knowing I was a positive influence in their lives on or off the playing field makes it all worth it. 

What do you feel makes you a qualified candidate for this position? 

I have spent many years around softball as a varsity and college athlete. This game has been a huge part of my life. I will never stop learning this game but I feel the knowledge and playing experience I have as well as my love for the game is what qualifies me most. 

What strategies do you use in communicating with your athletes and their parents? 

I have a very open policy with players and parents. I want my players to be comfortable to speak with me about anything they have on their minds. I also like to keep parents aware and involved as much as possible. 

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment so far? 

I feel my biggest accomplishment so far is my career. I am going into my second year of teaching and third of coaching. I was nominated Rookie Teacher of the Year at my current workplace, Hobbs Middle.  I am going to be teaching at Sims Middle School in the physical education department next year, and now stepping into the role of head coach. It feels as if all my hard work has paid off over the past few years and I am so very blessed to have my dream jobs at such a young age. 

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Catching up with Pace's new head softball coach