Randolph Named Lady Mocs' Pitching Coach

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Heather Randolph is coming home, and the Lady Mocs
softball team could not be happier.

Randolph, who has spent the last 10 years playing and coaching softball at
Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., will return to her roots as
the new pitching coach for the Chattanooga Lady Mocs. Randolph, a 1992
graduate of Central High School, takes over for Christina Sutcliffe, who
resigned earlier this fall to become head coach at the University of Rhode
Island.

"Heather brings a lot of maturity to the coaching staff having been out of
school for several years," said UTC head coach Frank Reed. "Carson-Newman
has won a lot of regional and national recognition. This is the opportunity
to have someone who understands all aspects of the pitching game, as well
as anyone I know. Bringing in a Chattanooga player confirms our commitment
to the softball community, not only to players in this city but also this
region."

Randolph is one of the most decorated softball players in Carson-Newman
history. She was a 1995 All-American after posting a 33-10 record with a
0.58 ERA and was twice named South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year.
She was also named South Atlantic Conference Female Athlete of the Year twice.

Randolph holds CN records for career strikeouts (662), shutouts (33),
no-hitters (6), lowest career ERA (0.71) and doubles (33), plus the SAC and
school record for strikeouts in a game (14). She also holds the SAC record
for strikeouts in a season (259) and career.

Throughout her sparkling prep and college playing career and her coaching,
Randolph has never had a losing season at any level. She twice pitched
against the United States Olympic Team in exhibitions, and Reed coached one
of those teams.

"Carson-Newman has been my home away from home for 10 years," Randolph
said. "I wouldn't do it if it wasn't in God's will. I knew I'd have to have
a peace about it and I did. I've had opportunities before, but I never
considered leaving, but the Lord gave me a peace."

Also weighing heavy on Randolph's mind was her sister Brooke, also a
Central graduate who will be a senior catcher at Carson-Newman this season.
"That was the hardest thing," Randolph said. "I haven't missed one of
Brooke's games since she's been at Carson-Newman."

Interestingly, Randolph is also related to former UTC pitching coach Beth
Keylon-Randolph, who is married to Brooke's uncle.

Carson-Newman finished 41-10 last season and won the SAC regular-season
title. In the process, CN had a 14-game winning streak and set or tied nine
school records. Randolph coached current staff ace Marci Mitchell, who was
named SAC Player of the Year and posted a 28-4 record with a 1.64 ERA and
three no-hitters.

In nine years as a player/coach at Carson-Newman, her teams have compiled a
307-95 (.764) mark: 103-23 (817) as a player; 31-12 (.721) as graduate
assistant; and 173-60 (.742) as assistant coach. Her recruits have included
nine all-region players and 23 all-conference players.

Randolph will officially begin duties Jan. 1, but she will observe some of
UTC's individual workouts the next two months. The Lady Mocs' season
officially begins Feb. 7 in a tournament at Auburn University.