Centre College Softball holds each player and coach to a higher standard in how we conduct ourselves on and off the field. R.I.S.E. U. P. ( Respect, Inclusion, Selfless, Excellence, Unique, and Passion). We can relate each of these words to our daily lives to ensure a program that not only the players are proud of, but Centre College too!
At Centre, we know that life is more than just softball. Coming from a liberal arts school who encourages students to be well rounded, we're looking for scholar athletes who want to push themselves to be their best, both on and off the field. We've crafted our program to include players who are confident, ambitious, and want to win. Not only are we chasing a SAA title, we're supporting a group of women who mirror the standard we hold on the field, in the classroom, and in life. We hope that you will strongly consider Centre College and become a part of our tradition of excellence.
THIS IS CENTRE
Centre is an energetic, close-knit community that encourages curiosity with an international scope. With over 200-years of service, we consistently deliver on our reputation as one of America’s premier institutions of higher education. There’s no denying that we are a school with a rich history that prides itself on high academic standards, long-standing traditions, and a very personalized education. As one of the best Liberal Arts colleges in the country – Forbes Magazine ranks us the #1 school in Kentucky. As well, we are ranked the #3 school in the country for our study abroad program by the Princeton Review. In fact, an average of 85% of Centre students study abroad at least once, in countries around the world. Finally, we guarantee that every student will graduate in 4-years! If not (and the error was Centre’s) – the 5th year is tuition-free!
Student Body Size - 1450 (98% live on campus)
Average Class Size - 18
Faculty - With a Student Faculty ratio of 10:1 – the Princeton Review ranks Centre’s Faculty as the 12th Best Faculty in the Nation!
Majors and Minors - We offer more than 50 majors, minors, pre-professional and dual-degree programs, and graduate partnerships. Or design your own major in consultation with your advisor.
Center for Career and Professional Development - The Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) helps students and alumni plan, prepare, and promote their careers. CCPD helps students apply for internships, jobs and graduate school, as well as explore career options and interests.
Financial Aid - The majority of Centre students (90%) receive some kind of aid from the school. We give your financial situation personal attention, and our financial aid committee takes all relevant information into account.
The Experience - Bottom-line, people love their experience at Centre! In fact, the Alumni Review rates Centre #1 for the Happiest Alumni in the Nation.
Study Abroad at Centre
85% of all Centre graduates have studied abroad at least once; 25% have studied abroad two or more times.
Of the 3600 colleges and universities in the U.S., Centre is the only institution in the country that sets up and runs virtually all of its programs and that guarantees a study-abroad experience for all of its students, regardless of income.
Centre offers semester-long options in China, England, France, Japan, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Spain.
The question is not IF you will study abroad, but WHEN!!
CENTRE COLLEGE SOFTBALL STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCES
The 22-2 Principle
22 Hours of the Day:
● You are a student, first and foremost
● Softball is a high priority, but NOT the most important item in your life
● You are a great teammate and friend
● You leave whatever happened on the field inside those lines
2 Hours of the Day:
● Softball is the most important thing in your life
● You are a student of the game who works to learn and apply the concepts of the game being taught
● You have to complete - playing time is earned
● Every second you are on the field – you are focused on excellence, attention to detail, and working to be better than you were the day before
CCSB Mission Statement
The Centre softball program will be conducted in a manner consistent with producing a respected team. Each year we will work together in being the best version and teammates we can be. WE FIGHT TOGETHER AS ONE!
As a student athlete it is a priority to succeed and put sufficient effort in your academics. It is your responsibility to place a priority on your academic and athletic commitment in order for us to accomplish the mission stated above.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME...
Champions Hall
Champions Hall is a new 135,000-square-foot facility at Centre College devoted to wellness and athletic excellence that opened in February 2024. It benefits the entire campus community and sets a new standard for holistic education at top-ranked residential liberal arts colleges across the nation.
Key components of Champions Hall include:
A 10-lane, 50-meter pool with a moveable bulkhead, an integrated diving well with 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards, and seating for 700
A six-lane, 200-meter indoor track and turf infield with event seating for 800. The track is named after Centre coach Lisa H. Owens. This area can easily be increased exponentially by using the turf infield and will double as a large space for campus events, such as the annual Commencement ceremony, concerts and debates
A 6,000-square-foot strength and wellness center
A nutrition center that includes an educational component
Hospitality and engagement areas
Locker rooms and multipurpose event spaces for activities such as yoga
While benefitting all 24 varsity teams, the aquatic and the track and field components of the new facility offer the opportunity to strategically expand rosters by as many as 70 student-athletes.
15 states and counting ...
Meet the Coaches
Coach Villagrana originally from California joined the Centre softball staff in the summer of 2021 and is entering her first season as head coach in 2024.
Prior to arriving in Danville, Villagrana spent the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant at Union College in Kentucky, where she served as both a first base coach and outfield coach while assisting with hitting and conditioning.
A 2017 graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy. As a player was a two year started at Indian River State College earning All-Conference & All-State. Transferred to University of Detroit Mercy were she earn All-Conference & All-Academics. Villagrana also served as an undergraduate assistant during the 2018 & 2019 season. In her final season coaching with Detroit, the Titans took home the Horizon League championship in 2019 for the first time in program history.
Villagrana earned her Master's degree in Athletic Administration from Union College in 2021.
Coach Nat from Louisiana was named the new assistant coach for the Colonels softball team in November of 2023.
Hester came to Centre following a successful stint as an assistant coach at Arlington Baptist University. In Texas, she was part of the coaching staff for a team that won a regional title and made the NCCAA World Series.
Hester also has years of experience coaching travel teams and providing private lessons for softball athletes. She has worked with over 100 athletes across a wide age range.
Hester competed at the college level in softball at Vernon College, Ohio Valley University, and Arlington Baptist. She earned Academic All-America honors at Vernon. At Arlington Baptist, Hester was the starting second baseman for a team that made the NCCAA World Series and finished the season ranked fourth.