Sixteen years of coaching came to an end late last month when Amy Doyle, head softball coach, announced that 2018 would be her last season leading the team.

Doyle said she decided to resign because she wanted to spend more time with her family, as well as be involved with more building committees such as the Flex Time Committee and the Capstone project.

“All good things have to come to an end at some point,” Doyle said. “When I prioritize and think about the things that I want, I realize life is too short.”

Doyle has been involved in softball her whole life. Starting at age 5, she played all through high school and college. She became the assistant softball coach at MHS in 2000. After seven years of coaching, she decided to take time off to be the Social Studies department chair, and to get her masters degree.

But Doyle missed coaching, and three years later she became the head coach at Parkway North.

“I loved my time with the players and the parents, and the community of support that I had was huge for me,” Doyle said.

After six years and three district wins, she was finally able to return to MHS as the head coach.

Adam Starling, assistant coach, worked with Doyle during her time as head coach.

“It’s been a good experience,” Starling said. “I had never coached softball before, so to step into a program that was so successful and run and managed so well was very nice.”

Although Doyle has led varsity softball to three District wins and a State title, Starling said she teaches her players more than only skills on the diamond. 

“Coach Doyle is someone that cares for the students and really tries big picture to develop character and life skills within the students,” Starling said. “More so than just focusing on softball. She does a lot to try and help them become better people and have a real focus on actual development of themselves as young adults.”

Mackenzie Gareau, junior, has been on varsity since her freshman year. Gareau said Doyle has helped her with a lot with personal growth.

“It’s been amazing being under her because she has a great insight on the game,” Gareau said. ”She’s really helped me grow as a leader, person and a player.”

Doyle said that personal growth was the biggest thing she hoped her players took away from her coaching.

“So much of coaching and my passion for coaching went so far beyond the field,” Doyle said. “The biggest thing for me to instill in them is to empower them to advocate for themselves, because I think that’s such an important part of growing up, in a way that’s powerful, respectful and productive. Developing leadership was the most important part for me.”