Sliding into position
Interim head coach appointed for Texas High softball team
Photo by Kailyn Williams
Interim head coach Chelsea Slider addresses team before their first game of the season. The Lady Tigers took a victory over Redwater 4-1 Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.
February 14, 2023
After playing under the direction of assistant coaches Chealsea Slider and Melissa Hardy, Texarkana ISD announced an interim head coach of the Lady Tiger softball team.
“Coach Chealsea Slider is serving as interim head softball coach,” director of communications, marketing and development director Todd Marshall said. “There will be no changes to the softball schedule.”
Slider, Texas High alumni and athlete, will act as interim coach for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season.
This season marks year two of coaching at Texas High for Slider. While assisting softball, she also assists in coaching the Tiger volleyball team alongside coaches Hardy and Robin Holland. Slider wants to build a positive team culture this season.
“Everyday we come in with positive attitudes and a desire to get better,” Slider said. “We are striving to compete this year with every team we face. With the right approach and attitudes we will be successful!”
After the initial shock of TISD reassigning coach Lacey Middlebrooks’ to another coaching position, the Lady Tigers adjusted well to Slider’s coaching and are grateful for the effort put in by her to make the transition as seamless as possible.
“Coach Slider has really made sure we all stay structured in this odd time,” junior Mollie Fisher said. “I appreciate all that she’s doing for the team to keep us all focused on our main goal.”
In this time of great confusion for the players, coaches Hardy and Slider provide structure to move the team forward with the season.
“I was lost the first couple days on what was happening, because we just didn’t know anything about the situation,” junior Anna Lee said. “Slider picked up the program swiftly, she kept everything running smoothly with schedules and group chats so everyone stayed informed.”
While working hard on keeping spirits high, Slider pushes her athletes to perform at their best, physically and mentally, in every outing.
“I’m looking forward to the positivity and team growth this season,” Lee said. “She is a great leader and pushes us to our best standards, while genuinely caring for us at the same time.”
