Former head coach Dennis Schmidt recently announced his resignation, and after a meeting between Corsicana Independent School District Superintendent Donnie Denbow and newly hired Athletic Director Joe Young, Collier was called into Young’s office and given a short interview in consideration for the job.

“We discussed the growth of the program,” Collier said, “and what my thoughts were about growing the program in numbers and ability.”

After their meeting they went to the AD’s office to continue the interview there.

“Some of the things we had talked about previously,” she said, “and other things that might help better the field and program as well.”

Collier left the interview and about an hour later she received a phone call saying that Denbow and Young had selected her as the new head coach.

“I was really excited,” said Collier. “I’ve been a part of Corsicana softball the whole time. Softball came here (CHS) in 1993, when I was still in the eighth grade.”

Collier said she and one of her friends attended every game that year.

“We were excited the program was here,” she said. “We played softball all of our lives, and that was our dream … to play softball.”

Collier went on to play all four years during high school and after graduating in 1997, she attended Stephen F. Austin State University.

In the spring of 2001, she came back to CHS as a student/teacher as well as a student/coach.

 A short time later she officially graduated from college and in the fall of 2001 she was hired at CHS as a teacher and assistant coach for the girls programs, and has remained a part of the softball program ever since.

“I feel my heart’s here and this is where I’ve always wanted to be,” said Collier. “I’m glad I’ve gotten the opportunity to take a step up.”

Collier feels Schmidt has groomed her well for the position, and has learned a lot from him.

She was asked if she had a chance to talk to some of the players and how they felt about her being named head coach.

“I think the girls are really excited about the change,” Collier said. “They feel comfortable coming to me about different situations, I guess, because I can relate to them a little bit better since I am a girl. They’re ready for a change. Hopefully, with me coming in, it will be a new change for them and a good change to help build the program back to where it used to be.”

As well as being a chemistry teacher at CHS, and assistant volleyball coach, softball still plays a big part in her life away from the school.

She spends much of her time as the chief umpire for the Corsicana Girls Softball Association during the summer, which is the very same place she grew up learning about the sport.

Collier feels by helping out at the youth level this will encourage girls to want to become a part of her program when they reach high school.

“It helps keep me involved with the younger girls playing softball,” said Collier. “I hope that it helps connect them with me so when they come to the program as a freshman in high school they will know me … ‘hey, I know that person.’”

Collier said many parents wanted to know when she will host a softball camp, but has explained that is something that will have to wait until next year.

“I definitely want to put on a skills camp next summer,” said Collier. “Some of the players have indicated they would like to see a strength and conditioning program similar to what the boys do during the summer, but I’ll have to look into that a little more … definitely a skills camp, though.”

When she’s able to find a little extra time she enjoys spending it with her family, husband Kevin, and their two-year-old son, Gaven.

Both Kevin and Elizabeth’s family’s are from here, and both of them are graduates of CHS.

“We’re just down home, hometown people,” Collier said.

She and her family enjoy spending time on their boat at Cedar Creek Lake.

“That’s kind of our mini getaway we like to do quite frequently,” she said.

Collier is already preparing for next season, and hopes to have one very important item finished soon … the new softball schedule.

---