New Coaching Era for MC Softball
Coach Leigh Streetman seeks to maintain momentum for Choctaw softball next spring.
For the first time in 18 seasons, the Choctaws’ softball team will have a new head coach leading the way. Coach Leigh Streetman is set to take the reins for the Choctaws as Coach Brooke O’Hare’s long tenure with the team comes to an end.
The Hueytown, Alabama native steps up to the head coaching position after seven seasons with the Choctaws as an assistant coach. Prior to Mississippi College, Streetman spent four seasons playing for the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers as a pitcher, where she currently holds records in both appearances (144) and saves (13).
Coach Streetman has already found great success in her career as an assistant coach for the Choctaws, helping them reach a super regional, as well as a #11 ranking in the NCAA at the end of the 2024 season. Having been a pitcher herself, Coach Streetman’s technical position for the Choctaws over the past seven years has been as the pitching coach. She hopes to bring her mentality from that role into the head coaching position.
“Coming from being a pitcher, and being a pitching coach over the past seven years, it’s gritty, and that's how I want to be defined, that’s how I want this team to be defined,” Streetman said. “I just want people to look at our program and say, ‘Wow that’s a gritty team; they’re tough to play.’”
Maintaining the current team culture is an essential part of Coach Streetman’s plans for the future. The goal to maintain the excellent status they’ve achieved over the last two years won’t be taken lightly. “I think that the girls do a great job of continuing the culture,” said Streetman. “They know the expectations, they know the standard, and they hold their teammates to that, day in and day out.”
Head Athletic Director Kenny Bizot noticed the potential of Coach Streetman since arriving at Mississippi College, making his official recommendation an obvious decision. “Coach Streetman has a willingness to do whatever it takes to help this department, not only for softball but for our athletic department,” Bizot said. “She’s just a wonderful person with a servant's heart. Another thing – her work ethic is unbelievable, her dedication to her job is unbelievable. Then lastly, her relationship with her student-athletes, the way they look up to her and respect her, made this a very easy decision for me.”
A new coach brings new challenges for any team as they approach the season, and it’s no different for Coach Streetman. A program that has had as much success as the Choctaws certainly comes with internal expectations. Bizot, though, has high hopes for the team’s upcoming season.
“I just want to feel like we’re prepared for the game, and I want to see that our athletes are playing at a high level, whether it’s through playing hard, or their skill set,” said Bizot. “Then, I think if you do all that stuff, the winning takes care of itself. As long as we’re doing those things, we’re taking care of our student-athletes, our team’s prepared, and we’re working hard, then the winning will take care of itself.”
Streetman will officially take on the role of head coach on January 31 at the Youngsville tournament in Youngsville, Louisiana, where the Choctaws will begin their season with a three-day stretch of games.
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