By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Ashlyn Englehorn is in her third year as an assistant coach with the Bearcat softball team in 2020-21. She works with Head Coach Paige Hall regarding all aspects of the softball program, but that might not have been the case if she hadn't received an opportunity as a teenager. While attending Borah High School in Boise, Idaho, she coached an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team. That experience led her toward a career in coaching.
"Before coaching softball, I actually coached basketball," Englehorn recalled. "I got into coaching in high school when I helped coach an eighth grade AAU basketball team and loved watching the players develop through the season, both on and off the court. I was inspired to start coaching because of the coaches that I was lucky enough to have growing up who had a great impact on the person I am today. They were the people, besides my parents, who pushed me the hardest and had extremely high expectations of me, but also loved me and I knew I could count on them when I played for them. Now I can count on them for advice in my coaching career."
Englehorn played softball as a utility player at nearby Corban University during the 2015 through 2018 seasons. As a senior, she competed in 48 games at first base, where she earned a .991 fielding percentage and 332 putouts. Also in 2018, she helped Corban reach the opening round of the NAIA World Series. In 2017, She contributed to the Warriors earning a national runner-up finish at the NAIA World Series after winning the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season title. The Corban softball team won the George Pasero Team of the Year honor from the Oregon Sports Awards.
She was named to the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete Team twice. She earned a spot on the CCC All-Academic Team three times. Englehorn received a Bachelor of Science interdisciplinary degree in Media Arts and Business Sports Management from Corban in 2018. She earned a Master of Leadership in Kinesiology from Corban in 2020.
At Willamette, Englehorn spends much of her time working with the infielders. She is actively involved in practices and on gamedays.
"Ashlyn and I have worked extremely well together," Hall said. "Ashlyn is always willing to do whatever is best for this program and has been an absolute joy to work alongside. She has full reign over the infield and I feel confident with whatever I give her. I am very fortunate to have a high caliber assistant in Ashlyn."
Englehorn likes to focus on developing the overall lives of the student-athletes she coaches. She sees beyond the playing field to encourage young people to apply the lessons of softball to all aspects of their lives.
"One thing that I like to teach my athletes is that softball, or any sport, does not define them as a person," Englehorn commented. "Their identity is so much more than coming to the field every day and they are all capable of so many great things in their lives. That's sometimes hard to understand, but I believe Willamette gives their students the opportunity to find out who they are and who they want to be once their four years of collegiate athletics come to an end."
For Englehorn, she continues her initial exposure to the coaching profession by working with an under-14 softball team. In addition, she works at youth softball camps.
"I also coach for the NW Bullets softball organization as their 14u coach, and run summer softball camps for kids aged 6-18 through US Sports Camps," Englehorn explained. "I've run summer camps for the past few summers and it gives young athletes the opportunity to develop their skills.
When she's away from coaching, Englehorn is often taking photos or gathering video to help companies, including Corban, with their marketing efforts.
"I am a part of a marketing team focused on digital media marketing," Englehorn said. "I've worked for Corban's MARCOMM Department (Marketing Communications) since my junior year of college focusing on content development and social media marketing."
Back on the field, she is thrilled to be coaching at Willamette. Recently she's seen how much effort the softball players have put into practicing with the restrictions added due to COVID-19.
"As practice comes to an end for the fall, I just want to say how proud I am of the team for finding a way to be flexible and follow the COVID-19 protocols without complaint, and also for just embracing every bit of adversity that was thrown their way," Englehorn said. "We had a great fall and we are excited for what this season will bring.
"It's been nice staying in Salem after going to college just across town," Englehorn added. "My favorite part about coaching for Willamette is the relationships that have been built and that continue to develop through the years. It's really incredible to see the team come back every year stronger and ready to get better. It's also been great to see individuals on the team receive internships and job opportunities to help prepare them for their future careers."
