Goshen College names Juliaclare Plezbert head softball coach
Indiana Tech alum joins Maple Leaf staff from Oklahoma Wesleyan
GOSHEN, Ind. — Juliaclare Plezbert has been named the eighth head softball coach in Goshen College history, the Maple Leaf athletic department announced Monday.
Plezbert spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, an NAIA program in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. There, she was a part of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s 2018 Staff of the Year and helped the Eagles to a pair of national tournament appearances. She coached 15 all-conference players, 10 NFCA all-region picks and more than 30 NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Plezbert assisted with community outreach at Oklahoma Wesleyan, including camp organization and advertisement, while also monitoring fundraising and recruiting arrangements. She also handled travel arrangements worked as a camp coach with College Coaches Skills Camps, helping with camps in eight states since 2016.
A native of St. Charles, Illinois, Plezbert played collegiately at Indiana Tech from 2012 to 2015. A three-time academic all-conference honoree in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, she was the Warriors’ nominee for the A.O. Duer award, which recognizes outstanding junior student-athletes in the NAIA, in 2014. A year later, she received the Hayashi Award, presented to the Indiana Tech senior athlete who has done the most to promote athletics, community service and academics throughout her career.
While at Indiana Tech, Plezbert was active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and served as a tutor in the Tutoring Center. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in elementary education and taught second and fifth grades at Avilla Elementary. In addition, she was the head organizer of blood drives for the American Red Cross from 2013-15.
“Following a diligent search process, we are extremely pleased to name Juliaclare as our next head coach,” said Goshen College Director of Athletics Harold Watson. “As we went through the search process, Plezbert rose to the top of a deep list of potential candidates. Her emphasis on teaching the game, accountability and student-athlete experience really stood out.”
“I am excited to coach at Goshen because of the opportunity this college provides for its students,” Plezbert said. “Goshen is a place where students are able to grow strong in their relationship with Christ, become servant leaders and flourish in the classroom while excelling in their sport.”
Plezbert also has a master’s degree in business with a finance specialization, which she received from Oklahoma Wesleyan in 2017.
Since July, she has been head softball coach and assistant athletic director for compliance at Ancilla College in Donaldson, Indiana, overseeing scheduling and game-day operations in addition to handling eligibility for the entire athletic program.
“As we spoke to people that knew her, it became evident that Juliaclare is a talented coach and relentless recruiter, but also someone who enjoys teaching the game of softball and has a holistic approach to coaching,” Watson said. “She wants to see her student-athletes leave her program as better people when they’re done playing for her.”
“I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity to come to Goshen,” Plezbert said. “I want to thank Harold Watson and the athletic department for entrusting me with the leadership of our program, and I believe our players have the talent and tenacity to help us reach our program’s goals.”
The Maple Leafs will begin their 27th season of varsity softball on Saturday, Feb. 2, when they travel to Rosemont, Illinois, for the NAIA Leadoff Classic hosted by Roosevelt University. Crossroads League play is slated to begin on Tuesday, March 12, with a visit to Taylor, while Plezbert’s first home games will come three days later against Huntington.
The Plezbert Profile: What They’re Saying About Juliaclare
Sarah Harman, head coach, Grace College:
“Juliaclare is a great choice to lead the Goshen softball program. She’s smart, organized, hard-working and grounded. I’m excited for the young ladies in that program.”
Caty Reeves, assistant coach, University of Mississippi:
“Juliaclare is a great choice for Goshen. You cannot be around her for more than five minutes and not feed off the energy she brings to everything she does on and off the field. She is bound do great things and is more than ready to lead this team to new heights.”
