Over the years, Tammy Deter has changed as a coach, but it hasn't affected what she does best: win.
The Morrison High School softball coach will end her career this year, after earning her 500th victory with the program on April 8. The Illinois Coaches Association-Softball made the announcement on its Twitter account.
“It was an honor for me to receive the 500th win my last year of coaching,” Deter said. “God has blessed me with many great athletes, teams and assistant coaches over the years. I never dreamed that I would receive this milestone and have so many wonderful people enter into my life to make it possible.”
In her early days, Deter was strict with things like rules and practices, she told the Rock Island Today.
“I now think about each player and the team before making decisions,” she said.
Deter started her coaching career in volleyball in 1993. She took over the softball program when its started two years later.
“I have lived in Morrison since 1981 and just wanted to be involved in the community, and coaching was a good way to do that,” Deter said. “Besides, I love sports, so it was a good fit for me.”
Softball has been a constant in Deter's life. She began playing in a summer league at the age of 13, before going on to play in high school and college. She followed that years later by coaching her daughters in a town league.
Deter had always wanted to be a coach, she said, because of the teaching aspects, as well as to “watch the athlete improve on the skills of the game.”
Team sports in particular pique her interest.
“The individual matters, but a team does not rely on just the individual’s performance,” she said.
According to an article on TheCity1.com, Deter has led the Fillies to four state finals appearances, including the 2011 state title; five sectional championships; and 12 regional crowns. The program has won more than 70 percent of its games under her guidance. Morrison has won 15 Three Rivers Conference titles coming into this season.
For her accomplishments, Deter was recently inducted into the Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Alerts Sign-up