by Lacy Cascadden
Staff Writer
Last weekend ended an era for the University of La Verne softball team. The Leopards concluded this year’s season by losing not only graduating seniors, but their coach too. This was Julie Kline’s last season as softball coach.
Kline will remain at ULV as the assistant athletic director, women’s basketball coach and associate professor of movement and sports science, but she said she felt it was time to relinquish her position as softball coach.
“I am very proud of what this program has accomplished during my 11 years,” Kline said.
Kline made the decision to retire as softball coach to resume other activities. Included on her long list of responsibilities, Kline knows her most important role is that of mother. No longer coaching softball will give her more opportunities to fulfill her goals as a care-giver, she said.
“I want to spend more time with my family,” Kline said. “My son Riley is five, and my daughter Kinsey is three, and they are beginning their own activities, and I want to be there and be involved.”
“Two sports are difficult to coach at the same time because there is a large overlap between basketball and softball,” said Jimmy Paschal, athletic director. “Plus she is assistant AD and is teaching. (Retirement) is a good thing.”
ULV finished this year’s season in second place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
This was the first time in three years that ULV was not No. 1 in SCIAC.
Next year, the team will start fresh, with a new coach, as it tries once again to regain its title.
“I feel good about the program where it is at now, so I leave thankful for the opportunity to build a program, and to know it will be in good hands,” Kline said.
During her extensive run as head coach, Kline has led the softball team to win four conference championships and four second-place titles as well.
“There were no bad seasons,” Paschal said. “We will miss her, but her skills will be used in other areas.”
Robin Haaker has officially been given the position for next year.
Haaker is currently the graduate assistant coach for the softball team.
“We are excited for Robin, to see what she brings (to the team),” said sophomore Kourtney Tomlinson.
Kline has no regrets about leaving the softball program.
“I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach some tremendous individuals and, at the same time, experience success,” Kline said.
