Elon University head softball coach Kathy Bocock strives to have a positive influence on the lives of her players on and off the field. For senior center fielder Rebecca Murray, Bocock fulfills that goal and is a role model to the team.
“She has meant a lot to me,” Murray said. “Even going back to my recruitment process, she was the only one who took a chance on me. That’s always meant a lot to me and always has been something I’ve kept in the back of my mind for my four years here.”
While Bocock serves as a daily role model for her players, she became more inspiring to the team when she hit 500 wins as a softball coach during their victory against College of Charleston on April 9. Reaching that 500th win has now placed her as one of the most successful coaches in the history of Elon softball.
The milestone came over a decade into Bocock’s time at Elon. When she joined the Phoenix in 2010, she was the assistant softball coach and then went on to serve as the interim head coach in 2012.
She was then named head coach the following season and has been leading since. She had 24 years of coaching experience coming into Elon, having spent 15 years as the softball and women’s basketball coach at Averett University.
For Bocock, the 500th win meant more than a milestone; it was a stepping stone to the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, which will be held at Elon’s Hunt Park in May.
“I was just excited to get the win because we needed the win for the conference,” Bocock said. “Every win is important to me because of what it does for my players.”
While Bocock said she enjoys winning and the competition of each game, that is not the main reason for why she coaches. The bonds she forms with players is the most important to her.
“That’s why I coach. I love the relationships, and I want to make a difference in somebody’s life,” Bocock said.
Prior to their game against Charleston this season, the team was fully aware of Bocock’s potential milestone. Senior catcher Carley Davis said being able to celebrate this moment with their coach was something she cherished.
“We worked really hard this season to give her this accomplishment,” Davis said. “To be able to give this to her with all that she’s given to us means a lot to me.”
Bocock said she was especially happy to get this accomplishment with this group of players. With the pandemic cutting off seasons for juniors and seniors, she said she’s aware of the road athletes have taken during this time.
“They’ve worked so hard to get where they are now,” Bocock said. “With the pandemic for the past few years, it’s been hard for some of the juniors and seniors, so it’s special to do this with a group that’s been through a lot.”
Bocock currently has 256 wins at Elon and is just 12 away from tying former volleyball head coach Sue Leonard for second most in Elon history and 23 away from tying former softball head coach Patti Radunez for the most.
“It means a lot for me because everywhere I go, I like to make an impact on the game and all the people I come in contact with,” Bocock said.
While the team loves helping Bocock climb up the all-time Elon win list, Davis said they consider Bocock to be more than just a coach.
“She has always been one of the biggest supporters in my life,” Davis said. “She’s not only a softball coach, she’s a life coach.”