Purdue University Northwest has announced a change in leadership of its softball program, effective immediately
Heather Tarter, who served as the head coach for Purdue Calumet for the past three seasons, will not return as head coach of the newly formed PNW program. The announcement of the new head coach for the PNW Pride softball team will be made at a later date.
“We appreciate Heather’s years of service in leading the Purdue Calumet softball program and helping create a solid foundation,” PNW Athletic Director Rick Costello said. “We wish her the best as she moves forward in her future endeavors.”
Tarter compiled an overall record of 75-60 in her three seasons at the helm, while going 24-22 in Purdue Calumet’s first two seasons of Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play. The Peregrines qualified for the CCAC Tournament in both 2015 and 2016, winning two games in the 2015 postseason tournament.
In Purdue Calumet’s inaugural 2014 campaign, the Peregrines finished 28-8 as an independent member of the CCAC.
In Tarter’s tenure, Purdue Calumet garnered seven all-CCAC honors, one National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) all-region accolade, seven all-CCAC academic selections, three NAIA Scholar-Athletes, two John Friend Leadership Award winners, and two CCAC Player of the Week honorees.
The Purdue Northwest softball team, now a merged squad of the former Purdue Calumet and Purdue North Central programs, will begin its first year competing as PNW in the NAIA’s Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference beginning with the 2016-17 season.