IllustrateD volume 24, issue 4 79
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s o f t b a l l p r e v i e w
BY STACY CLARDIE
SClardie@GoldandBlack.com
A
ndie Varsho isn't worried about
striking out.
She isn't worried if a ball takes a bad
hop, skirting past her in the outfield.
She isn't worried if she doesn't
come through in the clutch, seeing an
RBI opportunity pass.
She isn't worried about being caught
stealing.
Maybe more than ever before, Var-
sho and her Purdue teammates feel
free to fail, as long as that comes while
they're trying to succeed.
They feel free to be themselves,
even encouraged to show their person-
alities.
They feel free to relax and enjoy the
game they love.
They feel free to gain confidence
from each other, from having a coach
declare she's their "No. 1 fan."
They know no wrath will be spilled,
no judgment will be issued, no threat
spewed of being benched.
Kim Schuette may only have been
with the Boilermakers since July, but
her arrival already has delivered an
impact.
"The culture is a lot different," said
Varsho, a senior. "She does a good job
of implementing fun activities and just
making the game fun again instead of
having it be a chore, going through the
motions every day, all week.
"I think knowing the coaches have
our back no matter what and not be-
ing punished for something we had
no control over (is) … something that
hasn't been implemented in the past.
Where this year, it's more of we're go-
ing to do our best no matter what and
know that is going to be good enough
for our coaches."
In a short time on campus, players
say Schuette already has fostered an
environment that empowers players,
that demands improvement but gets
it based on instruction and through
increased knowledge, and one that
breeds confidence through approach
and not just results.
She's been continually stressing her
goal of having a "family environment"
by offering a space for players to share
their joy over a great exam grade, to
vent their fears, to get a hug when
one's needed but also being willing to
ramp up discipline when they fall short
Tom Campbell
First-year coach Kim Schuette has brought a new attitude to the Boilermakers, one
seniors Andie Varsho (left) and Lindsey Rains have embraced.
New Era
Coach ushers in
culture change
