Heather Johnson (Everhart) one of the most decorated athletes in the history of Grace College has been named the new head softball coach for the Lancers. Heather returns to her alma mater after coaching softball at Montreat College (NC) and at Northwest High School in Canal Fulton, Ohio.

"We are very blessed to have Heather return to Grace to lead our softball program," said Grace Athletic Director Chad Briscoe.  "She has been successful at both the college and high school level and is one of the most decorated student athletes in the history of Lancer Athletics. " 

Upon graduation from Grace in 1994, she served under the late Coach Phil Dick as an assistant softball coach on the Lancers staff for one year before taking over as the head softball coaching in the inaugural season at NAIA Montreat College in Montreat, NC. During her first season as a head coach and the first year for the softball program in 1996, Montreat finished fourth in TVAC while knocking off four top 10 NAIA teams during the year. Johnson was named TVAC Coach of the year after going (11-13 Conf; 20-26).

After another solid year in 1997 at Montreat, Johnson moved to NCAA DII Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, NC. She served on the volleyball staff for one year before getting into administration where she completed her master's degree in business administration and served as the director of facilities. In 1999 she returned with her family to Ohio and began conducting private lessons for the top softball players in the area. In 2001 Johnson returned to coaching at her alma mater, Northwest High School in Canal Fulton, OH as the head softball coach. Johnson directed the softball program at Northwest from 2001 to 2005, taking over a struggling program that went 6-19 during her first year at the helm. In 2003; they went 12-12 and in 2004 the team finished 17-9 while advancing to the Regional Championship first time in school history.

"It's very exciting to return to a softball program and an institution that I know so well," said new Grace head softball coach Heather Johnson. "I look forward to being a part of the tradition that has already been built at Grace and for to have the privilege of impacting students' lives for Christ through softball."

For her athletic efforts, Johnson was elected into the inaugural 2008 class of the Grace College Lancer Hall of Fame for her accomplishments both on and off the softball diamond. During her athletic career at Grace, Johnson played a pivotal role in the success of the Lancers. In her senior season (1994), Heather set school records with 238 innings pitched, most wins in a season with 28, most strikeouts in a season with 253, and the lowest E.R.A. for a single season at 0.56 runs a game.

"Heather brings instant credibility to our softball program," said Briscoe. "She understands the mission of Grace College and will have a great impact on our student athletes. Heather will be a tireless recruiter to help our program grow and will be a great addition to our athletic staff."

In her four years at Grace, Heather was chosen to every All-Tournament or All-Conference team that the Lancers took part in. Heather reserved her spot in Lancer history by setting career records such as 783 innings pitched and 727 strikeouts. She averaged 6.5 strikeouts, per seven inning game for her career. Her final pitching stats boast a career record of 86 wins, only 29 losses, and an outstanding career E.R.A. of 0.92 runs a game.

In her senior season, she was named an NAIA All-American and took the Lancers on their first-ever trip to the National Tournament in Columbia, Missouri. During their Cinderella post-season run, Johnson and Grace picked up four victories, including a win over NAIA #1 ranked and #1 seeded Kennesaw State (44-2) of Georgia. After her senior season, Heather was honored by USA Softball when she was invited to the Olympic tryouts in June of 1994.