A Coach Who Brings the Light of Christ to a Softball Program

Allison played on a traveling softball in Eagan from age seven through high school. They won the state championship her junior year and made it to state again the next year. Allison attended the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire with the intention of playing softball, but an injury her freshman year sidelined her for good. Since she had been playing softball for so long, she went through an identity crisis. Who was she without softball?

She started coaching a travel team in the area, but she was struggling, and a lot of people knew it, including the girl who lived down the hall in her dorm who Allison called, “The Crazy Christian Girl.”

That girl, Allison said, “showed me how to have a relationship with Jesus. Now she’s my best friend.”

Allison began attending a Christian organization on campus and was later introduced to Andrew Draper, the FCA staff person in Eau Claire. She started working with the huddle at an area middle school and loved it. When she finished college, she had no idea what she would do with her psychology degree and considered attending seminary. She said, “I was driving home from touring a seminary and asked myself, ‘What am I doing?’ 

What I loved was coaching and FCA.” 

Pursuing FCA Staff

Allison pursued an overseas coaching opportunity in Hungary with FCA’s partner, OM Sportslink. She said, “That was a huge confirmation that sports ministry is where I’m supposed to be.” She came back to Minnesota and joined staff as a south metro area representative, but she really missed softball. As she told someone about that longing, they asked, “Why don’t you just do softball all the time?” Good question. Why didn’t she? She talked to her supervisor, and he supported the move.

She coached college softball for a few years and was asked by a fellow coach to help his daughter with some skills. From there, Allison said, “I got roped into coaching a B team, and I didn’t want to do it.” Allison coached the team and said, “The kids improved a ton, and I had a great time and they loved it. I loved to be able to teach.” Isn’t that how God so often works? God knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knew Allison would love coaching young girls and pouring into their lives.

Minnesota Ice – Her Sweet Spot

That’s how she got started with MN ICE, which is part of the Lakeville Fastpitch Association, and it was like coming home. She had played on the first MN ICE team when she was 16, and her dad coached for MN ICE. A couple years ago, she and another coach were asked to take over the program because it was struggling competitively. They revamped and rebuilt it over two years, and then the other coach left the program to pursue other opportunities. Allison said, “At first, I felt like Ice was done because I didn’t believe I had the ability to do it myself. For awhile, it was three people doing it together, then two, and now I’m doing it by myself.” 

But God is daily equipping her for the task. Today, MN ICE has 110 girls (200 tried out), 20 paid coaches, and 9 teams. Allison has been working hard to hire skilled coaches who care about character development.

Since the league is still rebuilding, they are working extra hard with the 12u and 14u programs to build the teams for greater success. This fall, teams practiced two to three times per week and played in four tournaments. She is the head coach for the youngest 14u team. Many of the girls have a lot to learn. Allison said, “In the last tournament, we lost all five games, but they learned so much.” On a recent rainy evening, they canceled practice but still met together to watch a college softball game. They ate together, built relationships, and learned how to recognize quality plays.

The Faith Component

The Lakeville Fastpitch League supports the faith component that Allison brings to MN Ice. They know she is doing ministry while heading the program and coaching the 14u team. Not all the coaches are Christians, but they see the value in making faith a part of the team. Every week, they hold a Bible study, and Allison has seen God move in the hearts of the girls.

For example, last year Maggie gave her life to the Lord after being part of MN ICE (https://www.minnesotafca.org/a-life-transformed-maggie-s-story), and the challenges of Covid have given Allison an opportunity to reach more girls. She said, “There are a couple girls who have struggled with anxiety and worry, and a lot of kids come to me who don’t even know Jesus and ask me to pray for them. Kids who are struggling start showing up for Bible study and are just searching for something. A lot of girls don’t even know what God thinks about them. This generation is so ripe for the Gospel.”

And that is why God moved in Allison’s heart in Eau Claire. That is why she has such a deep love for softball and an even deeper love for the girls in the MN ICE program. God has placed her in just the right position to bring Christ’s love to many girls who love the same sport she does. She has a tremendous opportunity to speak truth into their lives and has seen their life trajectory change course as they learn to follow Jesus. 

The platform of sports is truly a special place where athletes (and coaches) can meet Jesus and grow in relationship with Him. We are grateful for Allison’s ministry and for how He equips each person He calls into obedience.