‘Lifeliner’ NCO recalls journey to become All-Army softball coach

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Nichole Higgins (center), head coach of the All-Army Women’s Softball team and a spectrum manager for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Sustainment Brigade, 101st Abn. Div., gives players a set of instructions during trail camp, Aug. 28, 2016, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. (Courtesy photo by Staff Sgt. Nichole Higgins)  

FORT CAMPBELL, KY, UNITED STATES

10.21.2016

Story by Sgt. Neysa Canfield 

101st Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – It took one moment 24 years ago for Staff Sgt. Nichole E. Higgins, the spectrum manager for 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Sustainment Brigade “Lifeliners”, 101st Abn. Div., to know softball was the sport for her.
At 9 years old, Higgins achieved a double play by catching a fly ball hit by the opposing team and within seconds tagged out another player on the field who had left first base prematurely.
“I ran back to the base and got a double play on my own,” said Higgins, a native of Swanzey, New Hampshire. “Everybody was cheering in the stands, it felt amazing and from that point on I knew I wanted to continue playing this game.”
Higgins, who initially enlisted as a musician for the U.S. Army band, said she found out about the All-Army Women’s Softball team in 2003 while stationed in Fort Drum, New York.
“The coach for the All-Army Men’s Softball Team was a command sergeant major [at Fort Drum],” said Higgins. “I reached out to him for advice, and he told me exactly what to work on.”
New to traditional softball during that time, Higgins said she began to work on her technique in the morning after physical training and in the evening after work to increase her chances of earning a spot on the team.
Higgins, who has served 15 years in the Army, said she has been part of the All-Army Women’s Softball Team for 10 years. For the last two years Higgins earned the position of assistant coach, but this year she led the team as the head coach.
“I think I was presented with some challenges this year that will help me grow as a coach and NCO, but I also think the many years I have of playing [softball] on various of teams helped me get through those challenges,” said Higgins.
Higgins said she believes her softball career has made her grow as a noncommissioned officer because, just like her Soldiers in her section, the All-Army Women’s Softball Team contains players of different backgrounds, military occupational specialties and ranks.
“As a coach you are in charge of maintaining the Army values and watching for [the players’] safety and security on and off the field,” Higgins added.
Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Oleary, information management noncommissioned officer in charge for the 101st Abn. Div. Sust. Bde., said having Higgins be part of an All-Army sports team not only shows her physical capabilities, but also her ability to adapt.
“She brings diversity to our shop,” added Oleary. “Hopefully [she] encourages others to look outside their daily jobs because there are so many other opportunities and programs for Soldiers to take advantage of.”
Oleary added that Higgins is a leader to immolate because she is not only an asset to the section, but because she always puts the welfare of her Soldiers first.
Higgins was able to take her experience in the sport as well as her skills as a noncommissioned officer and lead the All-Army Women’s Softball team to victory by earning the gold medal at the Armed Forces Championship earlier this year.
Higgins said she hopes her journey will encourage Soldiers to participate in the All-Army Sports Program because not only is it a great program, but it makes a Soldier grow as leader while participating in a sport they love.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2016
• Date Posted: 10.24.2016 17:31
• Story ID: 212785
• Location: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US
• Hometown: SWANZEY, NH, US