Softball head coach Julie Higgs announced her resignation at a November 20 meeting of the team after six years at the helm of the Park High program.
Many of the players on the softball team were utterly shocked and couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Senior Riley Tuccillo says, “I am bummed because she has been my coach for three years, but I think it will be good to have new eyes on the program.” Tuccillo says that Higgs pushed her daily to become a better player and the best she could be.
Kenna Benzel, a junior at Park High, says, “I’m sad that coach Higgs won’t be returning, but I think it’s time for a change.” She says that coach Higgs was up there for one of the best coaches she’s ever had and can’t believe she won’t return for another year. Even though she was very tough on everyone, there was never a time that she did something that wouldn’t better the team.
A sophomore at Park High, Annie Keyes, says, “I only had her for one year, so everyone else is more affected than I am, but I’m still gonna miss her a lot.” Keyes says that even though she hadn’t learned under coach Higgs for a long time, she would only have gotten as far as she has with her.
Every player that was interviewed had wonderful things to say about Julie Higgs. They were all heartbroken when they heard from their former coach that she would not be returning this season.
Chloe Goosey, a Freshman at Park High School, says, “I’ve known coach Higgs for most of my life and wish I would have gotten at least one more year with her as my coach.” Goosey says that Higgs taught me so much; she had an answer to everything, or she would find the solution to help you become the best player you could be.
Higgs said during the meeting “I know this isn’t what any of you wanted but I think it’s best right now for the program and I hope that you all continue to play.” Even though all of the players at Park High are devastated, most have decided to continue to play in order to get to their full potential, as coach Higgs would have wanted.
Moving forward, the most significant thing on every player’s mind is who the next Park High softball head coach might be. At the Nov. 20 meeting, Park High Athletic Director Nate Parseghian said that the team lost a good coach but they would regroup after break and would be able to give him feedback on possible new candidates. The coach position was posted on the district website on Dec. 7.