A former Drayton resident has achieved a goal she set for herself early in her softball career.
Victoria Rumph began playing ball on the “B” diamond in Drayton and progressed over the years to a position as a catcher for Softball Canada’s Women’s National Team from 2013 to 2016.
“Playing softball internationally for Team Canada has allowed me to come in contact with the best softball players and coaches in the world,” Rumph said.
“I have the opportunity to constantly learn from highly skilled athletes and coaches around me and pass this knowledge on to others.”
Rumph’s goal to obtain employment as a softball head coach was realized when the College of Wooster in Ohio hired her on as head softball coach beginning June 13.
“I am honoured to be given this head coaching opportunity at the College Of Wooster as a young coach early in my career,” stated Rumph.
“I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to grow with a program that has already tasted success, and continue to create a culture where student athletes push themselves to their limits on a daily basis.”
As a student at Youngstown State University, Ohio, Rumph obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry while playing with the softball team as its starting catcher for four years.
In her fifth year, she volunteered as assistant coach with the softball program. During this time she helped develop defensive skills and pitch calling strategies for catchers.
“My experience as the volunteer assistant coach at Youngstown State allowed me to see the college game from a coach’s perspective for the first time in my career and it inspired me to pursue a lifetime of coaching, “ Rumph said.
The next step in Rumph’s academic career was a transfer to Muskingum University to pursue a master’s degree in adult education, while filling the role of full time first assistant to the head coach in the softball program.
Her responsibilities included planning hitting and offensive drills for team practices. She worked closely with the Muskies catchers, outfielders and corner infielders. Recruitment and identification of student athletes at tournaments, phone calling and scheduling on campus visits were also part of her position.
Rumph helped guide the Fighting Muskies to the championship round of the 2016 Ohio Athletic Conference Softball Tournament.
The team’s batting average improved 61 percentage points in the 2015 season under Rumph’s guidance.
“At Muskingum, I learned the importance of a strong team culture and tradition,” Rumph said. “At Wooster, we will aim a create a winning culture with standards of constant competition and strong work ethics. My vision for the these student athletes is for them to be proud of everything they have put into the program after their four years and for them to know that they have built a culture and tradition that will stand strong long after they graduate.”
