The Brock Badgers have hired Courtney Gilbert as head coach of the varsity softball program.The Brock Badgers will begin the 2022-23 softball season with a former member of the national team at the helm of its program.
The Badgers have named Courtney Gilbert as the new head coach of the Badgers softball team, which competes in the Ontario University Softball (OUS) circuit.
“We look forward to Courtney’s wealth of knowledge and experience in developing an exceptional experience for our student-athletes,” said Melissa Krist, Executive Director, Brock Sports and Recreation. “We’re excited for Courtney to join the Badgers family and grow the sport of softball in Brock Sports.”
A native of Delhi, Ont., Gilbert played National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 softball for two schools: the University at Buffalo and the University of Detroit Mercy.
A former athlete of Softball Canada’s national team, she is currently the president of the D1 Nationals Softball Association, including head coach of the U17 D1 Nationals.
“I wouldn’t trade my collegiate playing experience for the world,” Gilbert said. “Playing for two very different NCAA programs exposed me to several coaching styles throughout my playing experience. It shaped my perspective on coaching and the type of coach I aspire to be.”
Gilbert earned a Master of Special Education (Applied Disability Studies) from Arizona State University, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University at Buffalo.
In her final season of playing, she helped Detroit Mercy capture the 2019 Horizon League Softball Championship, the conference title tournament of the NCAA D1 league.
“As a coach, I put my heart and soul into my team. My passion for this sport is infinite, and I love coming to the field with energy and a hunger to get better each day alongside these student-athletes,” Gilbert said. “Brock has a talented group of softball athletes with unlimited potential, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish on and off the field this season. I’m excited to be a part of the Badger community.”
