Sinclair Tabbed to Lead Highlander Softball
HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Katie Sinclair has been named the head coach for the Houghton College softball program, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics H. "Skip" Lord announced today.
Sinclair comes to Houghton after a stellar four-year career as a player at St. Bonaventure University.
Sinclair most recently served as head coach of the TC Tremors U14 Black team based out of Binghamton, N.Y. She was highly involved as a coach at more than 40 clinics during her career and also provided pitching lessons to community youth players.
A native of Cortland, N.Y., Sinclair started 160 games at first base for the Bonnies and finished with 138 career hits, 16 home runs and 85 RBI. The team captain drove in a team-best 23 runs and finished second on the team with five home runs during her senior campaign. As a junior, Sinclair hit .303 and led the team in doubles (9), home runs (4) and slugging percentage (.479).
"We are very excited that Coach Sinclair has accepted our offer to become the next head coach of Houghton College's softball team. Not only has she played at a high level, but she understands what it takes to build a successful program at a college that is academically rigorous and intentionally Christian," said Lord. "As a captain for St. Bonaventure, she has demonstrated the competence and leadership necessary to get the job done on the field and she has done that while proving herself in the classroom.
"Her college coach's glowing recommendation was certainly affirmed by the players and staff here at Houghton who participated in her interview process. Their feedback was very positive and reinforced what we on the search committee already knew – this is a coach who will build something special here."
A management major, Sinclair was a two-time Atlantic-10 Conference All-Academic Team selection and was named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll each semester. She served as a team representative to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and received the Overall Excellence in Management Award.
"I am very excited to build on the foundation of this program and continue to grow as we compete with excellence for the glory of God. It is a privilege to be able to step into this role and become a part of the Houghton College community," said Sinclair. "I am looking forward to working with this great group of young women and have a positive impact on their growth physically, mentally, and spiritually. The players have ample existing talent but we are ready to unlock their untapped potential as well. I am eager to guide them to success on and off the field.
"I would like to thank President Mullen, Coach Lord and the search committee for this opportunity to serve at Houghton in this capacity. I would also like to thank the many coaches and mentors in my own softball career who have made such a big impact on my life."
Away from the field and classroom, Sinclair was active in a variety of service projects as an event organizer and volunteer. Her involvement was recognized with the Brian Moretti Service Award, the Ray Dee Leadership Award and the Donald L. Korben Community Service Award. She also worked as an intern in the SBU Athletic Department, assisting the director of business and finance with team budgeting, revenue history, business document processing and event organization.
Sinclair also served as the co-founder of Bonnies Athletes for Christ, which later became a chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and helped organize SBU Faith Night.
As a prep player at Homer High School, Sinclair was named Third Team All-State and Liberty League Player of the Year as a senior. She was also named first team all-league and all-section as a junior, as well as earning All-CNY Second Team honors. She earned all-league honorable mention honors and helped her team to the Class BI Sectional Championship as a sophomore.
Sinclair will also serve as the KPAC/Facilities Marketing & Scheduling Assistant.
What others are saying…
"Katie brings an outstanding NCAA Division I career with her. Her leadership started the day she arrived on the campus of St. Bonaventure and continued until her final out. Her deep faith in God and her compassion for others were not just words she spoke but were represented in the actions of her everyday life. Katie will be a wonderful representative for Houghton College."
-- Mike Threehouse, Head Coach, St. Bonaventure University Softball