KELOWNA, B.C. – UBC Okanagan softball head coach Michelle Webster announced on Wednesday that she will be stepping down as head coach of the Heat following three seasons as the program's head coach and six seasons overall.
 
Webster, who owns a head coaching record of 66-24-6 since taking over the bench boss duties in 2022, won three Western Collegiate Softball Association (WCSA) titles with the Heat, along with a Canadian Collegiate Softball Association (CCSA) Championship on home turf in 2021.
 
"Both from a personal perspective and on behalf of UBCO, I would like to thank Michelle for all she has done to contribute to the establishment and building of an impressive program both on and off the field," commented UBCO Director of Athletics and Recreation Tom Huisman. "The championship hardware and stats speak for themselves, and for those who follow their social accounts they are champions in the community as well. But what most don't see is the amount of effort and sacrifice it takes to lead a self-funded team. And Michelle will be the first to say that the program is led by many, which is true, but great teams need great coaches and for the past three years as Head Coach and three years prior as Associate Head Coach, Michelle has been there day in and day out to lead and contribute to the development of an amazing group of UBCO Heat student-athletes. And I'm going to miss her."
 
"I am proud to have been a part of this program since its inception," said Webster on her time with the Heat. "The athletes, coaches and support staff have remained committed to the vision of bringing a quality softball experience to UBCO and we have achieved so much in our short time together. More than the success on the field, being a part of a program that has been so devoted to giving back to the local softball community and being role models and future coaches has been truly rewarding."
 
Webster began her career with the Heat in 2019, the team's inaugural season, as the team's Associate Head Coach. After the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was a part of the coaching staff in 2021 as the Heat went an incredible 23-2-1, including a perfect 9-0 run during the postseason as the team won both the WCSA Championship and CCSA Championship.
 
The former head coach of Team BC at both the 2014 and 2017 North American Indigenous Games, Webster took over the reins of the program beginning in 2022, winning a silver medal at the WCSA Championship and a bronze medal at the CCSA Championship in her first season.
 
She would go on to lead the team to back-to-back WCSA Championships in both 2023 and 2024, winning 47 of the team's 62 games during that stretch.
 
"I am sincerely grateful to the coaches, support staff, UBCO, our fans, families, and most importantly, our athletes, for the opportunity to grow and learn together," added Webster. "I look forward to this next chapter for UBCO Heat Softball and will always be this program's number one fan."
 
A new head coach for the team will be named at a later date.