Averett University Cougars

DANVILLE, Va. — Averett alumna Brenda LaFlamme West was named as the Cougars' new softball head coach, the school announced on Wednesday. West becomes the school's fifth softball coach and the program's first full-time softball coach since its inception in 1983.

"It is an honor to be welcomed back into the Averett family as the softball head coach," West said.

West takes over a team that finished 5-25 in 2010 but only loses three players to graduation and is scheduled to return its young, talented core that includes four USA South All-Conference players.

"I am looking forward to working with the talent we already have, as well as recruiting new student-athletes to help build a successful program for years to come," West said.

West, who is a member of Averett's Cougar Club Sports Hall of Fame, was a four-year standout on Averett's volleyball team from 1994-1997. The three-time conference player of the year and two-time conference tournament most valuable player was a 1997 American Volleyball Coaches Association Second-Team All-American selection and a two-time All-South Region pick. She still holds numerous program records.

The Danville native and Tunstall High School graduate also starred on the Averett softball team during her sophomore year. West batted .369 with 21 runs scored and 12 RBIs during the 1996 season as a middle infielder and pitcher. She also was named to the conference's all-tournament team as a pitcher.

"We are delighted to add Bren to our staff," Averett Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson said. "She is a talented young woman with an incredible work ethic and passion for Averett University. Her plan not only focuses on the development of our student-athletes softball skills, but also in the classroom, and life in general. She is a fantastic addition to the Averett family. I'm looking forward to working with her and watching her build the softball program into something special."

West joins Averett's staff after teaching high school mathematics for seven years in the Pittsylvania County school system, including the past six years at Tunstall. She gained coaching experience at both the high school and college levels. While she was still a student at Averett, West served as Gretna High School's volleyball coach from 1996-1998, leading the Hawks to a district championship. From 1998-2002, West was an assistant coach on Averett's volleyball team, which won multiple conference titles during that span. From 2004-2005, West coached Tunstall's junior varsity volleyball and softball squads to district championships.

West resides in Danville with her husband, Jerry, and daughter, Delaney.