Ashley Obrest returned to Boston College in 2011 as Head Softball Coach where she is still in the school’s record book for career runs batted in (95), as well as single-season on-base percentage (.423) and walks (28).
Under Obrest, the Eagles won a program-best 12 ACC games in 2014. Boston College’s 12 ACC wins is the most conference wins the program has recorded in 11 years.
Obrest was at Colgate University prior to rejoining Boston College. Following a two-year stint as the assistant coach, Obrest was promoted to head coach of Colgate University in July 2010. She set a school record for most wins by a first year head coach (27) and led the Raiders to a regular season Patriot League title with a 16-3 conference mark.
Prior to joining Colgate, Obrest has served as an assistant coach at Concordia University in Chicago and a private hitting and catching instructor for the Chicago White Sox Training Academy.
What is your best piece of advice to a girls youth coach?
My best piece of advice to a girls youth coach would be to teach young girls the value of a strong work ethic. I often hear the expression, “I work hard.” But what does that truly mean? What does that look like? If you “work hard,” you should not have to say those words. There are so many young athletes that are simply not “walking the talk.” What are you doing to become great, not just good? Are you showing up to practice with a plan and a mindset to get better? Or are you showing up to practice with no focus and a “get through it” mindset? Understanding the difference between saying you work hard and consistently giving full effort is key.
For Ashley’s best team building exercise, please read How To Coach Girls coming out March of 2018.
p.s. To learn more about How To Coach Girls, check out Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. It’s available for purchase here.
To examine our print book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book. Our ebook version with 3 bonus chapters is here.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.