Before Neil Dittmer became Dean of Students, he was the head coach of JV and Varsity softball. Since taking that position, his assistant coach and math teacher, Brandy Dillard, has become the JV/Varsity softball head coach. She had been the assistant coach since Dittmer started as head coach about 14 years ago.

She decided to pursue the position because she loves softball and it has been an integral part of her life.

“I take a lot of pride in Paoli Softball, and I have since I was a student here. My dad started the fastpitch program here when I was little. So, it was ingrained in me as a small kid. I also have a softball-playing daughter coming up to the high school level in the next few years,” said Dillard.

Dillard played softball at PHS in high school, and the three conference wins the program has earned were during her time as a high school player. Dillard also played softball at Hanover College.

Dillard has several good goals for this softball season.

“My goals for this first year as a head coach are the same goals that we’ve had as a program for the last few years. We have a very young team this year. So, we will be focusing on fundamentals and the mental aspect of the game. We will be learning to find the excitement (rather than the nervousness) in competition,” said Dillard.

Dillard has high hopes for the players during her first season as the head coach. 

“I want all players to learn that failure breeds success. They need to learn that it’s okay and even necessary to fail in order to create the success that they seek,” said Dillard.