Bethany Allen Joins Softball Coaching Staff

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Bethany Allen, an all-conference and all-region honoree over her collegiate playing career, will join the Ball State softball program as an assistant coach according to head coach Lacy Wood.

"Bethany is an absolute firecracker," Wood said. "From our first conversation, I knew she had something special. Energy, passion and enthusiasm for the game pours out of her and will allow her to connect and motivate our student athletes. I am looking forward to getting on the field and working toward a MAC title with Bethany."

Allen joins the Cardinals after spending the past two seasons (2019-20) as an assistant coach at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. As a member of the Blazers' staff, Allen assisted in all facets of the program including practice and game organization, player development, academic success, recruiting and fundraising. Along the way, she also earned her master's in business administration.

"I am very excited to be given this opportunity to coach and learn under two experienced coaches," Allen said. "In talking to Lacy, Jeremy and the student-athletes, I knew Ball State was the right place for me. Reaching the Division I level as a coach is something I have worked hard to achieve, and I am ready to get started."

Allen started her coaching career in the fall of 2018, serving as an assistant at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, before heading to the Blazers for the start of the 2019 season.

Prior to her coaching career, Allen played two seasons at Henderson State University (2017-18) where she earned a bachelor's degree in sports management and two seasons at Weatherford College (2015-16) where she earned an associate's degree.

Allen started her collegiate playing career as an all-conference (NJCAA Region 2) and all-region selection as a freshman at Weatherford. She helped guide the Coyotes to a 32-16 overall record that season, leading the team with a .362 batting average and 35 stolen bases, while collecting 14 doubles, three triples, 20 RBI and 37 runs scored.

She started her sophomore season looking to do the same, batting .420 with 10 doubles, 11 stolen bases, 11 RBI and 20 runs scored through the first 23 games. However, a collision in the outfield turned out to be a life-saving incident for Allen. Originally diagnosed with a concussion, a precautionary MRI revealed a massive brain tumor which was later determined to be Grade 3 brain cancer.

Determined to get back on the field, and keep up with her academic work, Allen would battle through radiation treatments for over six weeks every morning, only to find a way to be with her teammates at practice in the afternoon. She would also complete her associates degree in the process.

In 2017, after enrolling at Henderson State, Allen was presented with the Ben Hogan Award of Perseverance for her determination to return to the field. She also threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's College World Series.

She was a .293 career batter in her two seasons with the Reddies, tallying seven doubles, a triple and her first collegiate home run. She also collected 16 RBI and 24 runs scored over 42 career games played a Henderson State.

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